Imagine a world where loyalty is symbolized by a key, in the fullest sense of the word. Medieval knights, who went on crusades or wars, sometimes forced their wives to wear chastity belts. How did these women live their daily lives, forced to wear such a device? The details of this usage reveal much more about the habits and hygiene of the time.

Although these objects are often associated with an era marked by jealousy, it should be remembered that their true use remains a subject of discussion among historians. Indeed, in the absence of real evidence, it is mainly stories and representations that evoke their existence. Made of metal, these belts must have been a real burden for the wearers. The key, kept by the husband, was a symbol of forced loyalty, occasionally at the expense of health.

Were these belts as common as we think? Some surveys suggest that they were more used to frighten or exercise moral control rather than being everyday objects.

An intriguing question remains: how did these women manage to maintain a minimum of hygiene? The answer is… disturbing. At that time, it was indeed uncommon to bathe, as traditions often linked frequent baths to health issues. As a result, body hygiene was limited to the most basic acts: wiping the body with a damp cloth or taking an occasional bath, usually reserved for major events like weddings.

In short, chastity belts and the sanitary habits of the Middle Ages represent a fascinating testimony to the paradoxes of this time. These stories offer a better understanding of socio-economic changes while highlighting the progress made in terms of well-being and individual freedom.