Explaining inferences

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Society's perception of clean versus dirty has varied throughout ancient and modern history. In the Elizabethan era, it was not uncommon for people to bathe fewer than 10 times a year. According to written accounts, Elizabeth I declared that she only bathed once a month.

Most people wore the same outfit for days and days in a row. Laundry was done maybe once a year, if at all. Many people wore pomanders, hollow balls filled with dried herbs and flowers, to ward off the smell.

The Elizabethans didn't have toothpaste and weren't very good about cleaning their teeth. Many had rotten teeth and very bad breath. It is said that the reason Elizabeth I never smiled for portraits was because her teeth looked so bad.

From 'How often did Queen Elizabeth I take bathe?' (Did You Know), www.didyouknow.it

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perception: view
era: period in history
uncommon: unusual

  • What conclusions can you come to about the importance Elizabeth I placed on hygiene? Give two pieces of evidence to support your answer.
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    2.  
    2 marks

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    Model answer:
    1. Elizabeth I didn't place much importance on hygiene because she only bathed once a month.
    2. She mustn't have been bothered about cleaning her teeth either because her teeth were so bad that she didn't smile for her portraits.