When Did You Last Win Something?
Today, thanks to Christian author Debbie Lynne Costello, you have two opportunities to win prizes! But first, read her interesting, illustrated post on one aspect of medieval living that is far different from what we experience today.
(Note from Linore: If you read my Pulse Effex Series, you'll remember that we could one day be reverted back to the old way of doing things! Take note and be thankful for modern conveniences!) Giveaway info. is at the end of the post.
Taking A Bath--A Peek Through History
by Debbie Lynne CostelloRecently, a medieval "sin-washing well" was discovered. How fascinating! I thought.
I wanted to learn more about it. I searched through lots of medieval-era reference material, but couldn't find anything on it besides the name of the new discovery.
But what I did find was a lot of articles on bathing from Roman times to medieval times. I thought I'd share with you some of what I learned.
Ancient Rome was famous for their public bath houses. Some of those buildings are still standing today, allowing us a glimpse into that part of history. These bath houses had hot rooms, cold rooms and even just plain old warm rooms to lounge around in. Some of the wealthier people had their own private bath houses.
Around the 12th century there was Jewish ritual bathing. The water had to come from a live well (water that came from a river, rain water or a spring but the water could not be drawn. This made the water fit for one to dip one's body into, according to Jewish law.)
Jerome and Clement, early Christian fathers, (during the 4th and 5th centuries) did not take a liking to bathing in public bath houses and discouraged it.
During the medieval and renaissance periods the Roman-type bath houses were reintroduced and encouraged by Islamic countries. It's possible that the bath houses returned to western Europe from the Middle East due to the crusades.
I'm sure you have all heard the saying, Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. And you've probably read those emails where they tell you how all of our sayings came about. This one goes that the people only bathed once a year and they bathed oldest to youngest, so by the time the baby was washed the water was black and they couldn't even see the child in the water. Thus, don't throw the baby out with the bath water!
However, medieval people did bathe depending on the time period and their place in society. The poor, or laborers, bathed less due to the fact they couldn't afford to have tubs, or purchase fuel to warm water; so their bathing was done more in the summer months when they could take a dip in a pond or a river.
In winter months when the weather was not as conducive for bathing, personal hygiene wasn't at its best, but washing of the hands before and after meals was common practice and good hygiene no matter what your social status.
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| Archimedes' Bath |
Even the wealthy who could afford the fuel to heat water usually had the tubs brought to the rooms to bathe, rather than construct the elaborate bath houses they had in the Middle East.
So did bathing decline and if it did, when? It does seem that during the Renaissance period, people didn't bathe frequently. They worried that it was unhealthy and that perhaps it helped spread the plague. (People stopped everything that might cause the spread of the disease.)
I have to say when I'm writing about medieval and 19th century times, I do like to have my heroes and heroines clean and with good hygiene regardless of whether it really was that way in history.
What about you? Do you want history to always ring true or are there times that changing something is okay?
A Note from Debbie Lynne (On How to Enter this great giveaway!)
GIVEAWAY:
I’m giving away a copy of Sword of
the Matchmaker! (Medieval romance and adventure).Already purchased the book? Choose among any of my others for your free copy if you win.
HOW TO ENTER:
Leave a comment
OR: answer one of the questions I’ve asked
OR: ask me a question
That's it!
PLUS
A KINDLE FIRE!
(with Sword of the Matchmaker already uploaded)
PLUS a $15 Amazon gift card--and much
more!
Penelope Beatty made up her mind
long ago she would live and die a Scottish warrior not a wife. But when nearly
all her clan is killed and she is betrayed, she loathes doing the unthinkable,
but must seek the help of an Englishman who owed her father his life.
Thomas Godfrey never married, but when a Scottish warrior lass shows up needing his aid, he finds her both annoying and irresistible. But the last thing he wants is to marry a woman who fights alongside him. If he was going to marry—which he isn’t—it would be to a soft, submissive woman. But when the Lady Brithwin meets the Scottish lass, she’s sure she’s found the perfect match for Thomas and nothing is going to stop her from seeing a summer wedding.
Thomas Godfrey never married, but when a Scottish warrior lass shows up needing his aid, he finds her both annoying and irresistible. But the last thing he wants is to marry a woman who fights alongside him. If he was going to marry—which he isn’t—it would be to a soft, submissive woman. But when the Lady Brithwin meets the Scottish lass, she’s sure she’s found the perfect match for Thomas and nothing is going to stop her from seeing a summer wedding.
PURCHASE LINK: Get Your Copy of Sword of the Matchmaker HERE!
Check out Debbie Lynne's Other Fiction:
Sword of Forgiveness
Check out Debbie Lynne's Other Fiction:
Sword of Forgiveness
After the death of her
cruel father, Brithwin is determined never again to live under the harsh rule
of any man. Independent and resourceful, she longs to be left alone to manage
her father’s estate. But she soon discovers a woman has few choices when the
king decrees she is to marry Royce, the Lord of Rosencraig. As if the unwelcome
marriage isn’t enough, her new husband accuses her of murdering his family, and
she is faced with a challenge of either proving her innocence or facing
possible execution.
Royce of Hawkwood returns home after setting down a rebellion to find his family brutally murdered. When all fingers point to his betrothed and attempts are made on his life, Royce must wade through murky waters to uncover the truth. Yet Brithwin’s wise and kind nature begin to break down the walls of his heart, and he soon finds himself in a race to discover who is behind the evil plot before Brithwin is the next victim.
Debbie Lynne Costello has enjoyed writing stories since she
was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career
of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband
have four children and live in upstate South Carolina. She has worked in many
capacities in her church and is currently the Children's Director. Debbie Lynne
has shown and raised Shetland Sheepdogs for eighteen years and still enjoys
litters now and then. In their spare time, she and her husband take pleasure in
camping and riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.
Connect with Debbie Lynne online at:
REMEMBER: There are TWO drawings. One here at the blog, which you enter by leaving a comment.
And one at Rafflecopter! Enter by clicking here.
Good luck and God bless!
For Other Chances to Win Prizes, follow Debbie Lynne's Blog Tour:
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5 comments:
Thanks for coming by the blog, Debbie Lynne! Your new book looks like such fun. It's great to have writers who will tackle the medieval period for Christian fiction today! We need you!
Thank you for having me, Linore! Looking forward to chatting with your readers!
I believe history should ring true. I also believe there is some room for an author to be creative for the sake of the story.
Linore, thank you for hosting Debbie Lynne. I agree we need more of her stories!
Thank you, Caryl! We need ten people to leave a comment to hold a drawing for a giveaway, so please tell your friends? Thank you! Lots of readers would enjoy Debbie Lynne's medieval tales!
Hey Caryl! Thanks for coming by! I'm so glad to hear you say that there is room for creativity. I agree that we need to stay true to history itself but there are somethings I think we can fudge a bit. ;o)
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