Charlemagne bathing

[bunnyjadwiga]

quoted in Clean by Virginia Smith

He took delight in steam-baths at the thermal springs, and loved to exercise himself in the water whenever he could. He was an extremely strong swimmer and in this sport no-one could surpass him. It was for this reason he built his palace at Aachen and remained continuously in residence there during the last years of his life and indeed until the moment of his death. He would invite not only his sons to bathe with him, but his nobles and friends as well, occassionally even a crowd of his attendants and bodyguards, so that sometimes a hundred men or more would be in the water together.

Einhard, Two Lives of Charlemagne...

apparently Charlemagne also complained of short waist-length cloaks then in fashion, "What is the use of these little napkins? I can't cover myself with them in bed. When I am on horseback I can't cover myself from the winds and the rain. When I go off to empty my bowels, I catch cold because my backside is frozen."

Comments

[jacylrin.livejournal.com]

I agree. Warmwear should actually cover as much as possible. Especially given modern women's office apparel... A long coat would make dog walking much more comfortable, but I haven't gotten around to making one yet (and finding ANY coat to cover the preggo belly is just frustrating)