Very Detailed Renaissance Report

Renaissance background report.

The word renaissance means "rebirth" or "reconstruction", The Renaissance era was a time for the revival of learning. The Renaissance took place during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries; it was a period in which artistic, social, scientific, and political thought turned in new directions.

As part of the culture or beliefs that existed in the renaissance ages, baths were only taken when prescribed by a doctor because it was believed that water would open pores allowing bacteria to enter causing diseases such as the plague. Scented linens and sponges were used to hide smells that followed such horrible hygiene. Water was only used on the hands and face or for very refined women of that time. Toilets were simply just cubes in wood or stone with a whole in the middle of it, and were usually found near the stairs in a dark corner to keep smells away from the houses. As crazy as it may sound, it was a great belief that the moon and the sun had to do with the organs of the people during this time. Jewels were often used to help heal and gold was often used against leprosy.

Clothing of the renaissance was very unique; the materials often used were sheep's wool, mohair, plant fibers from the cotton plant, and silk. For color, natural materials became ground colors: brown, white, cream, or black. For shades of brown, red or orange, the Madder root was used. Embroidery included running, chain stitches, or a buttonhole. Dangling jewelry and tassels added color and movement to many of the costumes worn at that time. Renaissance men as well as women wore extraordinary clothing decorated with gold and precious jewels. During this period a person's wealth was shown by the amount of gems sewn onto his clothing. Changing shirts was considered to be bathing since water was rarely used for hygiene, and by the end of the 15th century changing shirts became a daily act.

During the Renaissance one of the main foods was bread. To start off every meal, toast would be eaten. Shortly after the bread was eaten porridge or salad is served followed by a very large roast. It was not common to drink mineral water because it was thought to be very unhealthy. People of the renaissance ate hearty meals and drank milk or wine. Servants were often times used to taste the food of important people because of the possibility of it being poisoned. Unlike German people, it was common for the French to keep their mouths at least half opened while eating. Plates were introduced for the first time in 1536 and were made out of gold or silver. Around 1550 people started to eat individually. Guests that attended these large feasts were not allowed to turn their head to see what the other individual next to them was eating, they could not