They used urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & sold to the tannery. If you had to do this to survive you were “piss poor.” But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn’t even afford to buy a pot; they “didn’t have a pot to piss in” & were the lowest of the low. The next time you are washing your hands & complain because the water temperature isn’t just how you like it, think about how things used to be. •Here are some facts about the 1500s.• Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. Since they were starting to smell, however, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women, and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it … hence the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the Bath water!” Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof, resulting in the idiom, “It’s raining cats and dogs.” There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed, therefore, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That’s how canopy beds came into existence. The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt, leading folks to coin the phrase “dirt poor.” The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way, subsequently creating a “thresh hold.” In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire.. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while, and thus the rhyme, “Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.” Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, “bring home the bacon.” They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and “chew the fat.” Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous. Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the “upper crust.” Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up, creating the custom of holding a wake. England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive, so they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer". And that’s the truth. Now, whoever said History was boring? ©️ Scott Brandt . . . I found this to be an enlightening piece and had to share. How is your week going?

African History Melanesians are special because they have blonde hair and blue eyes, which is unique among black people around the world. Their ancestors left Alkebulan 65,000 years ago and became a beautiful black race. Scientists and historians say they are the original owners of the land, with evidence showing they've had continuous civilization for over 65,000 years. They were also some of the first people to leave Africa and eventually settled in Australia after traveling through India and Asia's coastlines. If you want to meet Melanesians, you can visit these countries in Oceania: - Papua New Guinea - Solomon Islands - Fiji - Vanuatu - New Caledonia - West Papua in Indonesia - Maluku and Northern Maluku in Indonesia - Timor Leste - Torres Strait Islands in Australia

Spotlight on a medieval superstar Dante Alighieri, Dante Alighieri, one of the towering figures of medieval literature, was born in 1265, in the bustling city of Florence, Italy. He was born into a family with a complex lineage - noble by some accounts, yet devoid of wealth. His mother, Bella, passed away when he was young, and his father followed suit just a few years later, leaving Dante orphaned in his early teens. Despite his early losses, Dante received a good education, studying Tuscan poetry, painting, and music. He also studied the classics and theology, and these early experiences would shape his future works. Largely self-educated, Dante claimed to have met Beatrice Portinari, who would become his lifelong muse, at the age of nine. This unattainable love, which he immortalized in his work "La Vita Nuova," had a profound influence on his writing. Dante’s early adulthood was marked by political involvement. He held various public offices and was part of the White Guelphs, a political faction that was at odds with the Black Guelphs, who were supported by the Pope. His political activities led to his exile in 1302, a fate that turned him into a wandering poet and initiated his most productive and creative period. During his exile, Dante composed his most notable work, "The Divine Comedy," an epic poem that is considered one of the greatest literary works composed in the Italian language and a masterpiece of world literature. Written in the first person, the poem tells of Dante's journey through the three realms of the death - Hell (Inferno), Purgatory (Purgatorio), and Heaven (Paradiso) - guided first by the Roman poet Virgil and then by his beloved Beatrice. In "The Divine Comedy," Dante combined his political, religious, and personal life with contemporary events, creating an amalgam of fiction and reality that was groundbreaking for its time. The poem is renowned for its depth and for Dante's innovative use of the vernacular Italian language, which helped standardize the Italian language and establish it as a serious medium for literature. Dante Alighieri died in 1321, while in exile in Ravenna, Italy. Although he never returned to his beloved Florence, his body of work has immortalized his name, and his vision of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven continues to shape the modern Christian understanding of the afterlife. His profound influence on countless writers and artists throughout history cements his standing as one of the most important figures in world literature.

Newsletter Article: Archeological Find in Namibian Desert Unveils £9 Million Worth of Gold and Coins In a remarkable turn of events, an unexpected discovery in the Namibian desert has captured the attention of archeologists and treasure enthusiasts alike. A fortunate miner, while pursuing other endeavors, stumbled upon a 500-year-old shipwreck concealed beneath the sands. What awaited within the depths of this ancient vessel proved to be nothing short of extraordinary – £9 million worth of gold and coins, concealed for centuries beneath the desert's surface. The significance of this find extends far beyond the monetary value it represents. It offers a tantalizing glimpse into the maritime history of the region, shedding light on trade routes and historical events that have long remained obscured by time. Archeologists are already hard at work, meticulously documenting and preserving every artifact recovered from the site, piecing together the story of this long-forgotten vessel and its journey through the ages. As news of this remarkable discovery spreads, it serves as a reminder of the enduring allure of archeology and the thrill of uncovering treasures from the past. It also underscores the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and ensuring that such finds are safeguarded for future generations to study and appreciate. In the midst of this excitement, it is also worth noting the continued growth and success of TSN Tellit Social Network. In just three months since its inception, TSN has emerged as the fastest-growing content monetization site, with over 1.250m already paid out to its members. This platform provides a unique opportunity for content creators to share their stories, insights, and experiences while earning a fair and equitable income for their contributions. As we marvel at the wonders of the past uncovered in the Namibian desert, let us also celebrate the achievements of TSN Tellit Social Network and the countless individuals who continue to shape its vibrant community. Together, we embark on a journey of discovery and innovation, forging connections across time and space through the power of storytelling.

Mr. Babcock photographed at his home in Rochester, New York tuning in for war news. Photograph taken by Ralph Amdursky in September 1942. Credit: sebcolorisation on Instagram historycolored.com #history #ww2 #historycolored

Egyptian King Tutankhamun's 3300 Year Old Sandals Was found in the tomb of the King who reigned circa 1336-1327 BCE under the 18th Dynasty. This pair of sandalsis is now in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, Cairo, Egypt. The sandals are made of wood and overlaid with a marquetry veneer of bark, green leather, and gold foil on a stucco base Two human figures are depicted on the sole of each sandal under the arch of the foot. They represent Nubian (or Sub-Saharan African) and Asiatic captives. Under the toes is a representation of four bows and a similar number is shown under the heel. The strap and thong represent an additional bow. Contemporary Egyptians still refer to putting their foes under their shoes or under their feet, as a sign of contempt and/or belittlement. #Egyptian #Egypt #AncientEgypt #KingTutankhamun #Tutankhamun #KingTut #Sandals #Tomb #Museum #Antiquities #Nubian #Archaeological #Ancient #History #Historyfacts #historic #Historical