

The Romans who occupied Britain for almost 500 years brought with them the lightweight clothing of warmer climates, central heating for their houses, and baths for everyone. So great was their love of bathing, that a city in England still bears the name of Bath. If we place King Arthur among the last Romans left in Britain, or if we place him just a little later in history, then he and his court were people who liked to keep themselves clean. A post-Roman Camelot may well have been a sweet smelling place with baths and laundry maids and clean clothes for all .


Queen Isobel of Spain (1451-1504) was proud of the fact that she had also only bathed twice, once when she was born and once more when she was married.


And now for the most important question of all. Is it possible to be too clean? Do Americans take too many showers?
It is only in the last 100 years that it has even been possible for the average American to take a daily bath or shower. For most of the 19th and early 20th century weekly baths were the norm. (Usually on Saturday nights)
