Category: Daily Life in the Past

By Tim Lambert Ancient Bras Ancient Greek women wore a form of bra called an apodesme. Roman women also wore a band of cloth or leather around their chest called a strophium or mamilare. However, for hundreds of years after the fall of Rome, women usually did not wear anything for support. From the 16th… Continue reading A History of Bras

By Tim Lambert The Invention of Bricks The first bricks were made about 7,000 BC when people in the Middle East mixed clay and straw. They used wooden moulds to mould the bricks. Simple, sun-dried bricks were not very durable, but in about 4,000 BC, people began drying bricks in kilns. The Romans made vast… Continue reading A History of Bricks

By Tim Lambert Early Cakes The earliest recipe for pancakes in England dates from the 15th century. People were supposed to fast from certain foods during Lent, the 40 days before Easter. They also confessed their sins before Lent. The old English word for confessing was shrive, so the day when confessions were made was… Continue reading A History of Cakes

By Tim Lambert Early Cats Cats were first domesticated about 8,000 BC, when humans in the Middle East started farming. They stored grain, which naturally attracted rodents. Cats began hanging around the grain stores to hunt. Humans appreciated cats hunting rodents and gave them food and shelter. Cats were useful animals. Cats were highly esteemed… Continue reading A History of Cats

By Tim Lambert Life for children in the past was hard and dangerous. In the past, many of the children born died before they could grow up. As many as 25% of children died before their fifth birthday. As many as 40% of the people born died before they were 16. Even if they survived,… Continue reading A History of Children

By Tim Lambert Christianity in Roman Britain The first evidence of Christianity in what is now England is from the late 2nd century AD. (There may have been Christians in Britain before then; we cannot be sure). Roman Britain was a cosmopolitan place. Merchants from all over the empire settled there, and soldiers from many… Continue reading A History of Christianity in England

By Tim Lambert Early Clocks Today we take knowing the time and the day of the year for granted but for our ancestors, it was far more difficult. Until mechanical clocks were invented in the 13th century there were various ways of telling the time. The earliest method of telling the time of day was… Continue reading A History of Clocks

By Tim Lambert Egyptian Clothes Not surprisingly, given the hot climate, Egyptians wore only light clothing. Men wore a loincloth and a kind of kilt. Women wore dresses with shoulder straps. Clothes were made of linen or cotton. Later in Egyptian history, clothes became more elaborate and colorful. Egyptians shaved their hair and wore wigs.… Continue reading A History of Clothes

By Tim Lambert Early Condiments Since ancient times people have used condiments to enhance their food. The first condiment was salt. Salt has always been used both as a preservative and to enhance the flavor of food. Vinegar has also been used since ancient times. Its name is probably derived from the French words vin… Continue reading A History of Condiments

By Tim Lambert Dedicated to Jane Hummerstone Early Desserts In the Middle Ages, rich people ate desserts like preserved fruits, jelly, and wafers made from batter. Furthermore, the Italians have been eating panettone since at least the 15th century, but its origins are lost in legend. The Romans knew that eggs could be used for… Continue reading A History of Desserts