The leading way to prevent COVID-19 was once a medieval aristocratic ritual

Hand washing is the top prevention against COVID-19 and this practice was once a ritual showing the wealth and power of medieval European aristocrats.
Today, hand washing has become the most important daily habit for people around the globe. Right from the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that everyone should focus on thorough hand hygiene according to the guidelines to prevent disease. Since then, washing hands and washing thoroughly with soap for 20 seconds has become an essential ritual to eliminate the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

But few people know this simple act of hygiene was one of the important rituals of the aristocracy and the physically fit in medieval Europe. Washing hands was a rite of passage for the aristocracy and the physically fit in medieval Europe. (Image: Getty Images) People in the Middle Ages were often thought of as lacking a sense of personal hygiene, but the opposite was true. The kings and peasants of that time bathed thoroughly before and after meals. Furthermore, because cutlery is a rarity and most people eat with their hands, it is essential to keep hands clean before eating, and also to show respect to the person hosting the meal. “ Keep your fingers clean and your fingernails well-manicured , from Les Contenances de Table, a medieval text on table manners. Gradually, hand washing evolved into a ritual showing the power and wealth of the nobility, and washing hands was also considered a “sign of politeness”. Medieval aristocrats and clergy took hand-washing and face-washing to a new level. Even this action was solemnly organized by ancient European kings, with many complicated stages. When the princes have guests, they will invite guests to enjoy music and invite them to wash their hands with luxurious sinks, brand new high-end white towels and lotions. A team of servants will be around to help guests wash their hands. Women must wash their hands before going to the party, because in ancient times there was a belief that only girls with noble and pure dignity could touch white cloth without leaving a speck of dirt. After the guests were seated in the hall, the king entered and washed his hands in the presence of all the guests. Only after the king had finished his work were the others allowed to sit down. According to Amanda Mikolic, assistant curator of the Department of Medieval Art at the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio, it was a display of royal power for monarchs to wash their hands in front of guests. “ It’s a game of thrones to remind (guests) who holds the power ” said Ms. Mikolic. Lavabo – European hand sanitizer dispenser in the Middle Ages. (Image: Getty Images) ostentatious ceremony All elaborate rituals require ostentatious tools, in which case handwashing is bound to involve soap. From time immemorial, Crusader soldiers brought luxurious Aleppo soap made from olive oil and laurel to Europe. Before long, the French, Italians, Spaniards, and eventually the British all started making their own versions of Aleppo soap using local olive oil instead of the pungent tallow of many. previous century. Perhaps the most famous of the European soaps of the time was the Spanish Castile soap. Today, this soap is still produced and used around the world. Along with soap, the water jug ​​also played an equally important role in the hand-washing ritual of medieval European aristocrats. These vases are often very elaborately decorated and contain warm water mixed with aromatic oils. Another version of this tool is the lavabo – an object shaped like a bowl with a spout. In the most wealthy households, servants will sprinkle fragrant water on the hands of the owners before the meal. The role of the pitcher was so appreciated that Queen Jeanne d’Évreux of France, wife of King Charles IV, displayed a vase in the place of her favorite ornaments. After that, hand washing gradually became less important than before. Many historical scholars have blamed the fork for making people disregard hand hygiene before eating. It was not until the 18th century that this tool was commonly used in meals. “ The whole ceremonial nature around hand washing began to fade as the role of the tableware (knife, fork) became more prominent. Households began to prepare tableware for guests, and then people could eat without taking off their gloves. ” said Ms. Mikolic. But today, even though elaborately decorated water jugs and washbasins are out of fashion, hand washing can still show one’s wealth. It is still too early to say that the rituals of the pandemic period will stick with people for a long time. But today, though ornate water jugs and washbasins are out of fashion, hand-washing can still show a person’s wealth: through hand-painted metal sinks, expensive soaps and soaps. from essential oils to luxurious Egyptian cotton towels, etc. The luxurious rituals surrounding hand washing are constantly being created and developed. “ Every time I use soap, I’m reminded of medieval perfumes “, shared Mikolic.