But even in the late Middle Ages, when life expectancy was considerably lower, youth was a flexible category that could expand well into the late 20s and even 30s. So what were the defining ...

Beth Skwarecki is Lifehacker’s Senior Health Editor, and holds certifications as a personal trainer and weightlifting coach. She has been writing about health for over 10 years. What was life like in ...

The idea that medieval people routinely emptied chamber pots straight into the street as their primary method of waste ...

Astronomer raising an astrolabe to a starry sky between writing and computing clerks. From the Psalter of Saint Louis and Blanche of Castille. 13th century. Astronomer raising an astrolabe to a starry ...

Medieval history holds surprises that most people never learn about. The era was governed by bizarre laws and unexpected traditions that shaped everything from fashion to justice. Popular ...