and sometimes Tom

Castle Howard, Yorkshire by hmak0

The Dance, c.1905 by Gertrude Kasebier

Build shortly after the Norman Conquest (1066-1072 CE), Peveril Castle stands out as one of the few Norman castles to be built originally in stone rather than timber. The castle fell into the hands of the crown following the civil war known as The Anarchy (1135-1153). It remained more-or-less a royal property until its decline in the 15th century. 

Victorian pets!

Gang of Four

The oldest door in Britain in Westminster Abbey - a 900-year-old door was put in place in the 1050s, during the reign of the Abbey’s founder, Edward the Confessor. The door, which measures 6.5ft by 4ft, was made from one tree which probably grew between AD 924 and 1030. Simon Thurley, of English Heritage, said: “It is incredible to think that when the door was made the Norman Conquest had not yet happened and William of Normandy was still a young man of about 20.”

by John M

Tales from the Green Valley in Summer

(via nothwell)

2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4

oh boys.. <3

Ruth and Eve Goodman in BBC2 Wartime Farm Episode 6. Hair and makeup Vintage Hair Lounge

But, if you’ve noticed I’ve said “bathing in water” that’s actually for a specific reason. People still bathed, just differently than they do today. There were a few things involved with it, one was undergarments. If you look into medieval dress at all, you’ll always notices things like the chemise, and stockings…these were ideally made of linen and the layer closest to your skin was washed at least weekly (even for peasants), the reason for this is the linen absorbed bodily oils and dirt. People also vigorously scrubbed their skin with linen cloths, and hair was cleaned by combing out any debris, then brushing it to distribute the oils (the natural materials like wood, and boar’s bristle acts very differently than our metal and plastic). You know that “brush your hair 100 strokes” thing you hear? Yep it served a purpose. And Ruth Goodman, a historian focused on domestic history actually tried it for three months in modern life, and no one could tell the difference if she kept it up at noble standards. Later for a show she did called Tudor Farm she went back to non-water bathing again, but at peasant standards, and any body odor was mild enough that it was covered up by the smell of wood smoke.