Jodi, I'm sure it was! But it did hide the dirty hair - which probably also was itchy. How often do you think they washed their hair - every other month? Margaretha
According to what I have learned at the living history museum where I play an 18th century indentured servant, not much bathing went on at all, apart from washing hands and face, and never in winter. Annual baths usually happened once in June, same time of year as weddings :) I'm talking about lower and middle classes. Not sure if the upper crust bathed more often.
You might be interested in reading A Midwife's Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. It has some curious recordings about what went on in that time period.
Portrait Of A Lady
Love the cap. I wonder if it was itchy?
SvaraRaderaJodi,
SvaraRaderaI'm sure it was! But it did hide the dirty hair - which probably also was itchy. How often do you think they washed their hair - every other month?
Margaretha
According to what I have learned at the living history museum where I play an 18th century indentured servant, not much bathing went on at all, apart from washing hands and face, and never in winter. Annual baths usually happened once in June, same time of year as weddings :) I'm talking about lower and middle classes. Not sure if the upper crust bathed more often.
SvaraRaderaYou might be interested in reading A Midwife's Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. It has some curious recordings about what went on in that time period.
Jodi,
SvaraRaderaI don't think anybody bathed very often.
Thanks for the reading tip - I'll see if I can find the book here.
Margaretha