Were People in Medieval Times Always Drunk?
It’s often said that people during the Middle Ages, a period that lasted from roughly the end of the fifth century through the 15th century, drank beer instead of water because the drinking water at the time was dirty and unsafe. It would beg the question: Were people in medieval times always drunk? While it’s true that beer was free-flowing in the Middle Ages, a lack of clean drinking water is one of the most common misconceptions about the time period. We took a look at the history to get to the truth behind the myth.
Water Was Safe and Plentiful
Despite the myth that’s been perpetuated in the centuries since, there was plenty of clean water during the Middle Ages, and people rarely relied on alcoholic beverages as a substitute. That isn’t to say people steered clear of the stuff — boozy beverages were widely enjoyed by everyone from members of the working class to those in high society. But it’s not actually true that unclean water led to the widespread consumption of ale as an alternative.
People in medieval times had an understanding about the health benefits of drinking water, even if the science wasn’t fully understood. This was based in part on the early medical findings of ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, who recommended boiled and strained water as an important ingredient for overall health. There was, of course, medical misinformation as well, including some 15th-century texts that encouraged pregnant mothers to drink wine instead of cold water for the health of the baby. But generally, fresh water was understood to be good for you.
Indeed, fresh, running water was so coveted that many medieval villages were built along rivers and streams so that residents could have access to a constant supply of water for drinking, cleaning, farming, and other daily chores that required clean water. Many people also collected rainwater in barrels, which was safe to drink at the time given the lack of air pollution. Freshwater wells were quite common, too, and were built to ensure the purity of the water. People in the Middle Ages were aware of the fact that the best water was clear, cold, and odorless, and people often lined their wells with wood to ensure that the water wouldn’t get contaminated with murky mud. Some people also understood that if water looked or smelled impure, boiling it could remove impurities and make it safer to drink.
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How Medieval Cities Got Their Water
Clean water wasn’t always as easy to come by in densely populated urban environments that were further removed from natural sources. There was also a high risk of contamination due to runoff from local businesses such as tanneries and butchers. With these concerns in mind, many cities instituted ordinances and imposed fines on anyone who polluted the local water supply.
Over time, cities began constructing intricate networks of pipes to bring fresh water into the city center from nearby water sources. In 1237, the city of London was given the authority to build a system of underground pipes connected with springs in nearby Tyburn (a manor located in Middlesex county) in order to supply residents with a fresh supply of water. Known as the “Great Conduit,” it was among the first major plumbing projects of its kind. The pipes were made of wood and lead, and safely transported water into London for people to enjoy at no charge. The system was expanded throughout the 14th and 15th centuries before being damaged beyond repair by the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Those who were wealthy enough could actually pay to have private pipes installed that brought water directly to their homes. These were known as “quills,” and anyone who illegally tapped into the pipes was subject to a sizable fine. Many wealthy Londoners also paid water delivery people, known as “cobs,” to bring them 3-gallon tubs of water each day. However, these perks were difficult for the majority of people to afford, and most folks relied on the communal water supply instead.
Where Did the Beer Myth Come From?
Given the plentiful amount of clean drinking water available during the Middle Ages, it’s natural to wonder how the myth of beer-guzzling medieval folk formed to begin with. One theory is that it stemmed from various written works at the time that highlighted excessive drinking as a popular activity — William Shakespeare’s plays, for instance, are full of inebriated characters, none so famous as Sir John Falstaff. But the myth was also likely perpetuated by the fact that people often drank beer along with water, as the former was a staple in many medieval diets.
Ales were frequently consumed by farmers and other workers as a type of energy drink. The ales brewed at the time often had a lower alcoholic content than modern-day beers, with an average ABV as low as 1%, versus an average around 5% today. (There were stronger beers, too, but they were harder to come by.) These low-alcohol ales still contained plentiful amounts of calories, though, especially compared to water. That’s why at the end of a long shift, it was common for workers to enjoy several glasses of ale not only to quench their thirst but also to provide them with caloric fuel to recoup the energy they lost that day.
The upper classes, meanwhile, often turned to fancy wines and liquor as their beverages of choice, as they believed water to be the drink of the common folk. While everyone could easily acquire water for free, only those of a higher status could afford the most expensive and decadent wines. Members of high society who chose to drink water often added ingredients that only the wealthy could afford, such as ice, honey, fruit, and spices. Nevertheless, it’s likely that people in medieval times weren’t inebriated any more frequently than people in any other era of history, and when they were, it wasn’t for a lack of safe drinking water.
