Christmas is now firmly behind us but we still find ourselves in the depths of a bleak midwinter, at least if you live in the northern hemisphere. Here in the UK, we are in the grip of a January cold snap. And while other nations might chuckle at our complaints of the cold, I can only imagine our medieval ancestors would be howling in hysterics at our so-called ‘misfortune’. As I write this, I am warmed by toasty radiators, insulated by double-glazed windows, all while wrapped in cosy blankets with a hot drink to hand. I know, cue tiny violins.
We might get a little S.A.D. at this time of year but it seems the people of medieval Europe felt winter’s presence most keenly. One Middle English lyric goes “Winter awakens all my sorrow, now that the leafy branches are growing bare; often I sigh and sorrowfully mourn when I consider how all this world’s joy comes to nothing.”
Little Ice Age
So, as I look out at the dark and blustery streets outside, I wonder: how on earth did medieval folk survive it? Their fortitude and resilience must have been great, particularly in the latter centuries of the medieval period as Europe entered into the ‘Little Ice Age’ – which was not so little, roughly lasting from 1300 to 1870.
The onset of this ‘Little Ice Age’ brought gruelling, cold winters across Europe. Not even the Mediterranean South was safe from the bitter spells. In 1359, one Italian chronicle recorded that “the snow rose to an extraordinary height; so, to lighten up the roofs, the snow was thrown into the streets, and some of the towns were blocked so the inhabitants were trapped for several days in their homes”. In the notoriously brutal winter of 1363–1364, parts of southern Europe had frozen over, from the Venetian lagoon to the balmy shores near Bordeaux.
Clothing
Without modern accoutrements, like electric blankets or central heating, winter could be a frightening time during the Middle Ages. So, how did they cope?
One obvious way to protect yourself against a bleak midwinter is clothing. Outerwear like cloaks, scarves and mittens were typically made of wool and worn over linen undergarments to minimise the fabric’s itchiness. Here, people opted for plenty of thick layers to keep out the cold. Garments might also be lined with fur, more common amongst the wealthier classes. English sumptuary laws prohibited peasants from wearing finer furs and so the peasantry opted for rabbit or lamb. During the Little Ice Age, in 1363, one sumptuary code allowed only lamb, rabbit, cat and fox furs for the wives and daughters of craftspeople and land-owning peasantry.
Warm clothing was absolutely essential, even indoors as medieval houses often had a gaping hole in the roof. Yes, you heard me right. A central firepit or stone hearth was a common feature of the medieval home but the rudimentary ventilation in medieval roofs left inhabitants exposed to the elements during the coldest months of the year. Windows rarely had glass which also worsened the drafty interiors of medieval buildings. So, wrapping up warm was a must at all times.
Food
Medieval calendars, which feature in Books of Hours and Psalters, often depict wintry snowscapes for the month of January. These calendars would illustrate certain activities associated with each month with feasting and ‘warming oneself by the fire’ among the New Year activities.
Medieval folk were still guided by the Galenic principles of the four humours and ‘phlegm’ was considered the primary humour during the cold season. While contemporary sources cautioned against overindulgence, ‘fine red wine’ and ‘hot meats’ like mutton, pigeon and ‘other roasts’ were recommended to balance the humours. The richer diet might also feature butter, figs, cheese, and grapes to help combat the phlegmy effects of winter.
The peasant’s table, on the other hand, might not have been so blessed with rich feasts. ‘Pottage’ was a staple meal for many, especially the medieval peasantry – a mixture of root vegetables, legumes and grains, thrown together and boiled in a pot. Convenient and warming, pottage was a thick, hearty stew made with seasonal ingredients and flavoured with herbs like parsley. While peasant pottage kept to simple and readily available ingredients, wealthier households might have enhanced theirs with meat and luxury spices such as saffron.
For the average peasant, meaty dishes would have been sparing, with a small exception made for the festive period. But fear not, the peasant’s diet during this period was also recorded to include blood sausage or black pudding. So, perhaps no mutton, but pig’s blood? No problem!
Fun
Medieval winters were undoubtedly tough. It was cold and the food wasn’t so good if you were a peasant. But it wasn’t all bad. Calendars dating to the Middle Ages provide a wonderful insight into what medieval folk did for fun in the wintry season.
Snow fights, sledding, and ice skating on pieces of polished wood or animal bones are among the entertainments depicted in medieval calendars. If you were a nobleman, you might have partaken in a spot of boar hunting. But if you weren’t too keen on these outdoorsy pursuits, you could enjoy more sedentary games such as backgammon and chess.
January was a slower month in the working man’s calendar since it included the tail end of the festive period, ending with Epiphany on 6th January (a fairly raucous affair). But also because January was considered too cold to till the fields. So, with work on the back burner (not all work, mind!) medieval people had a little extra time on their frosty hands to find moments of joy in an otherwise brutal midwinter.
Tizane Navea-Rogers is the House Librarian at The Independent and Standard newspapers. She is also a freelance history writer in her spare time. Tizane previously studied history at York and Oxford University and has written elsewhere for The Historians Magazine and The Independent. Website: https://tizhistory.wixsite.com/home
Published: 31st January 2025.
