When most people picture the Middle Ages, they imagine a dark, dirty world filled with ignorant peasants, tyrannical kings, and barbaric torture chambers. But what if we told you much of that is completely wrong? The truth about the Middle Ages is far more fascinating—and less grim—than Hollywood and pop culture would have you believe.
Let’s uncover 7 of the most common Middle Ages myths you probably still believe.
1. People Thought the Earth Was Flat
The myth: Medieval people believed the Earth was flat.
The truth: Educated people in the Middle Ages knew the Earth was round. This idea was widely accepted among scholars thanks to ancient Greek texts like those of Aristotle and Ptolemy, which were preserved and studied in medieval universities.
2. Everyone Lived in Filthy, Disease-Ridden Conditions
The myth: Medieval life was dirty, short, and miserable.
The truth: While hygiene standards were different, many towns had laws about sanitation, and people bathed regularly—especially in public bathhouses. Life expectancy varied, but people lived much longer than most think, especially if they survived childhood.
3. Justice Was Brutal and Arbitrary
The myth: The Middle Ages were all about torture and witch trials.
The truth: While harsh punishments existed, legal systems were surprisingly complex and structured. Many communities had local courts and a deep concern for law and order. Witch trials peaked after the medieval period—in the early modern era.
4. Everyone Was Superstitious and Uneducated
The myth: Medieval people were mindless and feared everything.
The truth: Universities were born in the Middle Ages. Logic, philosophy, and science were studied deeply. Figures like Thomas Aquinas and Hildegard of Bingen show how intellectually vibrant this era could be.
5. Knights Were Always Noble Heroes
The myth: Knights were chivalrous warriors defending the weak.
The truth: Many knights were essentially professional soldiers—sometimes brutal, self-interested, and involved in petty wars. The ideal of chivalry was often more fantasy than reality.
6. Peasants Had No Freedom or Rights
The myth: Serfs were nothing more than slaves.
The truth: While they had obligations to their lords, many peasants owned land, made contracts, and had rights protected by local customs. Medieval villages often had strong communal systems.
7. The Middle Ages Were a “Dark Age”
The myth: Nothing good happened between Rome and the Renaissance.
The truth: This outdated view ignores massive developments: Gothic architecture, scholastic philosophy, the invention of universities, mechanical clocks, and more. The so-called “Dark Ages” were actually full of light.
Final Thoughts
History isn’t just about dates and kings—it’s about understanding how people lived, thought, and grew over time. The Middle Ages were far more complex, dynamic, and even progressive than we’ve been led to believe. Next time someone brings up “medieval times,” you’ll know the truth.