What to Avoid During Pregnancy in Medieval Times

A lot of medical practices that we observe now can be traced back to the past. We are fortunate that we have access to modern medicine and pregnant women get the care they need without the risk of infection, worse death. The middle ages is known as the Renaissance, where artists, philosophers and doctors have cooked up many ways to make living easier. Some of it may seem mad but believe it or not, people actually observed it. Here is a list of what to avoid during pregnancy.

Michele Savonarola, court physician of the powerful Este family of Ferrara in Italy wrote a book called De Regime Pregnantium. It contained advice of food and drinks that should and should not be taken during pregnancy. Like physicians today, Savonarola believed that what the mother eats will greatly affect her unborn child. He not only dedicated his life and expertise in taking care of the pregnant noblewomen of Ferrara but he also thought of medical ways to ensure the health of both mother and child, most especially in making sure that the baby would be male.

Savonarola advised that mothers consume dry food. He further stated that it was best to avoid drinking cold water because it is not good for the fetus and would generate girls. Instead he advised that moms drink red wine instead. Furthermore, consumption of warm and dry food will remove the inferior qualities of women and shape the fetus to become a strong and healthy male.

There could be strong intellectual women at that time who rolled their eyes at him; but in a world dominated by men, their opinions hardly matter. Members of the nobility would rejoice in the coming of a son but not so much as daughters.

He also advised mothers not to overindulge in the same kind of food because it risks miscarriage. Fruits like the pomegranate, though sweet is not advisable because it is highly acidic which can upset the stomach. It would be better to mix it with wine or drink is as a juice.

That was the practice in Italy, but what about other places? What to avoid during pregnancy when you’re a noble woman in England during the middle ages? In the late stages of pregnancy, noble women would go into confinement. This is like going back inside the womb where women are shut in a room, shutters closed, drapes drawn and a crucifix so she can pray. She is attended by servants and only female members of her family. Although, there were times that her husband may come visit her.  The idea of a confinement is to make sure that the woman is relaxed. She will only come out after 40 days of giving birth. She will then be “churched” to cleanse her.  There is a big party to welcome her back to society, perform her duties as wife and back to breeding babies again.

These practices and medical advice may all seem mad to us modern people but this paved the way to what we practice today. Crazy as it may seem, some of these food, drinks and practices make sense.  Hopefully, you did find what to avoid during pregnancy in medieval times insightful or even perhaps an entertaining read.

History of Banking: How the idea of a bank started

People nowadays have seen the importance of bank services. Banks have also expanded their services to not just deposits and withdrawals. They now offer mortgages, car loans and even business loans. But have you ever wondered how the idea of banking started?

During ancient times when there was still no monetary system, people trade with each other using produce like rice, fruits and vegetables. There were only temples and the monarchy which have a treasury that sort of acted as the bank. Money lending was done by Jews and goldsmiths. Eventually, that was polished into something more organized and the banking industry was born.

This is how the idea of banking started, the word “bank” originated from the Italian word “banco” or bench. During medieval times, people would conduct business transactions whilst seating on a bench. Later on, the benches turned into buildings. In Italy, powerful families like the Acciaiuoli, Mozzi, Bardi and Peruzzi families. However, the arrival of the Medici family gave them a run for their money, literally. 

The biggest improvement in banking happened when Giovanni di Bicci de Medici set up the Medici Bank in 1397.During the Renaissance in Italy, the Medici family of Florence has established a chain of successful banks all over Europe. Their biggest contribution in accounting is the improvement of the general ledger system and to track credits and debts they developed the double-entry booking system. 

During the 17^th and 18^th century, Court Jews or Jewish businessmen became integral in the handling of the finances of the rich and powerful families in Europe. Their main job is increase revenue, negotiating loans and creating new revenue. Court Jews receive privileges in exchange of the work they have done. They are popular in Germany, Holland, Austria and some parts of Spain, Portugal, Lithuania, Denmark, Poland, Hungary and England. 

The goldsmiths in London during 1600s have found another trade apart from crafting jewellery. They became depositories of gold and silver. Seeing that they can profit from this, they loaned it to merchants and the government at an interest.

Have you ever thought that debt is the new money? This is where the concept of credit card probably stemmed because at the issuance of the loan, the banker will give you promissory notes or IOUs. These state that the person’s acceptance of the transaction is payable upon demand. It further states that the notes can be used in negotiations. 

The developments throughout the centuries have contributed to how the idea of banking started. In the modern age, we still continue to make improvements, making the services accessible to everyone.

Some Interesting Facts About The Maya Civilization

Do you believe that the world will be ending this December 2012? Maybe you hear this from the Mayan Calendar which is accordingly one of the beliefs of the Mayas. However, this interesting ending of the world is not really that clear according to the Maya’s nowadays. Some people just have some misconceptions regarding this topic when it comes to the Maya’s belief. But today, I will share some very interesting facts about the Maya Civilization.

                                                             

1.The Maya’s are great builders of monuments. 

They build great pyramids, sculptures, and monuments in which up to now, these are still present. Many of these became a tourist spot in South America. Actually, if you will look closely to these monuments, they are having complex designs

2.They practiced human sacrifice as part of their religious ritual.

The body of a person who would be a sacrificed is being painted with a blue color, and then the priest will perform the ritual. The heart will be taken while it is still beating. There are various reasons why they need to perform this ritual. These could be to please their gods for them to have a good weather, harvest, life, etc.

3.They have this Mayan Calendar.

This kind of calendar of the Maya, people tend to think that the world will end this Dec 2012. But, according to the Maya’s now, the world will just begin a new life cycle; but will not end. Many people misinterpreted this Mayan Calendar. A lot of movies and stories are portraying this kind of story.

4. The naming of a baby will be based on the day that they will be born.

The people of Maya civilization believe that they need to follow their calendar when they name their babies. This Mayan Calendar has a specific name for any baby that will be born on a specific day. …so amazing right?

5. Their great empire collapsed without a clear explanation.

Up to this present time, the scholars could not make a concrete and exact explanation how this great Mayan Empire of 2000 years ago just disappeared. Though they had millions of population, still they declined and disappeared. However, some of the Mayas are still alive today. They are still in the Yucatan region in South America today. However, they do not have that   very great empire just like before.

These interesting facts about the Maya Civilization only remind us how important life is. Sometimes, we do have great times, but sometimes we   will not have. And history will always tell us, that we are not alone in our journey of this world. We are part of the civilization. We could make it or break it. So, let us live well…have a great life! :)