Lifestyle in the 14th Century

The daily life of 14th-century England is vividly depicted by contemporary poets like Chaucer and William Langland. Clothing became more elaborate and extravagant. Coats had sleeves adorned with buttons from the elbow to the wrist. These were no longer tucked into trousers, and richly decorated belts were worn low, from the waist to the hips. Wealthy men carried masterfully crafted swords on their belts and adorned their hats with jewelry. Shoes featured extremely pointed toes. An odd trend saw men wearing coats with one sleeve of normal length and the other draping like a cape over their hand. Merchants wore hoods turned up and twisted, resembling tall turbans. Women's fur-lined coats revealed more of their shoulders than before, and their hair was held with bands resembling crowns. Veils became increasingly popular, and women's shoes were similar to men's.

Windows in houses became larger and lower, allowing more light inside. The central room, often referred to as the hall, was the focal point. The hall and other rooms were built with separate roofs, giving buildings a piecemeal appearance, as though sections had been added over time. Houses and windows grew more ornate, and roofs were often decorated with wooden carvings. This was the era of the "Decorated Style." Comfort became more important. Lords' private rooms often featured small windows overlooking the hall, allowing them to admonish noisy occupants from their quarters.

Evenings were spent around the table, cracking nuts, sharing jokes, and recounting hunting tales. Card games, riddles, and board games gained popularity. Adults also enjoyed blindfold games.

Architectural vaulting techniques saw little change from the 13th century, but relief sculptures became increasingly dazzling. Churches were built as beautifully as human hands could manage, with no expense spared in time, money, or effort.

Castles were surrounded by moats fed by streams, a feature first observed by the English in France. Access was via a bridge, defended by a fortified bridgehead. The bridge did not lead directly to the castle gate but made a sharp turn, complicating attackers' approach. The section beyond the turn was drawbridge-like and led to often double-layered gates. Outcropping towers enabled defenders to shoot attackers from all angles. Inside, castles resembled residential houses—or perhaps houses began to resemble castles.

Pages were boys from noble families, educated alongside their lord's sons by the family chaplain. Their duties were described in manuals, including detailed instructions for setting the table:

"Place the salt near your lord's right hand and one or two wooden plates to his left. To their left, place a knife, white bread rolls, and a spoon wrapped in a napkin. Cover everything neatly, then open it in front of your lord."

Pages could not sit until granted permission and had to listen attentively while bowing. They served kneeling and said blessings before and after meals. On festive occasions, food was served to trumpet fanfares. Hosts and their most important guests dined separately at a different table. Plates were made of wood, pewter, or, in wealthier homes, silver or gold. Forks were not used; people ate with their hands. Bones and tough parts were tossed to the floor, where dogs quickly devoured them. Even among the wealthy, one plate was shared by two people, and cups—made of metal, bone, or wood—were often shared as well.

Spices and seasonings were a status symbol. Salt and spice containers were intricately designed, sometimes shaped like ships. Special cups were used for toasts, often made of maple wood and adorned with metal bands and gemstones. Lunch was served between nine and ten in the morning, while dinner was at five in the evening. During meals, jesters entertained, musicians played, or books were read aloud. Kitchens, often octagonal and located in separate buildings to prevent fires, were bustling places. Amid the noise and smells, oxen were roasted whole, and meals were prepared directly on the tables. Pork, chicken, and an early form of fish and chips (herring patties) were common.

Coal mining had begun, but coal was rarely used in households, mostly for lime burning. It became a common household fuel only during the reign of Charles II. Weekly markets moved away from churchyards, and biannual fairs attracted goods and buyers from afar.

The three-field system dominated agriculture. Oxen were used for plowing, and manure was sparingly applied. Depictions of peasants suggest they wore warm, practical clothing and gloves when needed.

The roles of physicians and apothecaries became distinct. Medicinal ingredients like opium, rhubarb, sugar, camphor, cloves, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg were imported through Venetian trade. Laws were enacted to prevent river and ditch pollution. Tooth powders from Italy became popular, but bathing and washing remained rare. Laundry was done with lye made from ash.

Windmills, often elevated on stilts, were iconic rural structures. Their sails were covered in cloth to catch the wind effectively.

Horses were the primary mode of transport, even for pilgrims traveling to Canterbury. Women traveled in wagons with semi-circular painted canvas roofs and window openings. Ships remained single-masted with one sail, featuring fenced platforms at the bow and stern, accessible by ladders. Such ships helped the English and Flemish destroy the French fleet at the Battle of Sluys in 1340.

Marjorie and C.H. B. Quennel "A History of Everyday Things in England", ford. Radó Bálint