Underwear Spurred Surge in Medieval Literacy Level

The conventional wisdom that the invention of printing press led to an upsurge in literacy in the later Middle Ages is wrong.

According to Dr. Marco Mostert, a historian at the Centre for Medieval Studies, Utrecht University, the development of literacy was owed to the increased use of medieval underwear:

“The development of literacy was certainly helped by the introduction of paper, which was made from rags,” says Dr Marco Mostert, a historian at the Centre for Medieval Studies, Utrecht University and one of the organisers of this year’s International Medieval Congress (IMC) at the University of Leeds (UK).

“These rags came from discarded clothes, which cost much less than the very expensive parchment which was previously used for books. In the 13th century, so it is thought, as more people moved into urban centres, the use of underwear increased – which caused an increase in the number of rags available for paper-making.”

Link: EurekAlert | Omni Brain


I don't know why this has suddenly become news. James Burke covered this idea in his Connections TV series way back in 1978. It's also likely that this idea was proposed long before that.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Yes, really, I learned this in junior high school- this was taught in our school- didn't everyone learn this in school? Why is everyone talking about this like it's new. I'm freaking 40 here and have known about this since 1980-81. did schools stop teaching this?
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 4 comments




Email This Post to a Friend
"Underwear Spurred Surge in Medieval Literacy Level"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More