The funniest thing i saw was facial reconition tech being used to recreate the from statues a heap of Roman emperors, and someone in the comments was like: "As if they would have had facial hair like that without a stylist." And its like: Mate, these guys are THE GOD EMPERORS OF ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL EMPIRES IN HUMAN HISTORY. They are going to have their own frickin stylists.
Just a fun little fact: full beards with the mustache shaved are often referred to as the "whaler beard" so it might've been a fashion choice dating all the way back to medieval times for sailors too!
A beard is warm on the frozen ocean but a frozen mustache is a pain. The Amish (to my understanding) shave only the mustache to mirror a 18th century military mandatory facial hair style.
Hygiene changed with the times just like beard styles. Plants for making soap like English Ivy and Soapwort we're used off and on throughout Europe since ancient times. Making a soap from English Ivy suitable for washing and as a shaving lubricant takes about 10 minutes once you've collected enough leaves to make the stuff.
Fun fact. No shave November just happens to coincide with deer hunting season. Deer can easily smell things like aftershave, so that's my theory on it's origins
This November 1st will mark my very first time going a full year without any shaving or legitimate trimming of any kind. Haven't messed with it since November of last year, but it's only reached about 5 or 6 inches
I recall from _Njáls saga_ when Njal's enemies taunt him for his beardlessness. We take for granted a lot of operations that our technology allows us to do in individual households now. Shaving, bathing, baking...It's good to reflect on the economics of all this. I wouldn't put much beyond the aristocracy of the High Middle Ages in Christian western Europe when it comes to difficulty and fuss in grooming. After all, those were the people who would roast a peacock and then stick all the feathers back on - and maybe gild it for good measure. Anybody remember the scene in _Crocodile Dundee_ where he pretends to shave with his bowie knife?
C Stanford, wouldn’t be surprised if they use straight razors in The Outback. The Bowie Knife shaving is probably a bit of poetic licence. Might have been Paul Hogan’s idea given his characters he was playing on Aussie TV pre-Croc Dundee.
@@michaelb7862 it was to impress the girl. He actually shaves with a cheap plastic razor, then sees her coming, hides it and takes his big knife out. Similar to the judging time. He looks at his companions watch, steps forward, squints at the sun and tells the time.
The English translation of the insult levvied against his sons goes something like this: "The sons on Njall on manhood bent and fearing less they be unfit, bedaubed their chins with excrement and that is why they reek of shit." Viking insults were incredibly inventive.
Oh damn I read bards, and I was really excited for your description of medieval entertainer. Now I'm excited for a description of medieval facial hair instead! Plz do a bit on bards though that's a fascinating topic
I have become a fan of straight razors. I have a coarse thick beard. The straight razor hacks through it. Any of those Gillette multi blade just clogs and dulls after a use or 2.
I've switched to safety razors because of the clogging issue too. Also, it's just so much cheaper than cartridge razors! I can buy good blades for less than 10 cents each, and they last half a month each.
@@rileyernst9086 thats because you apply to much pressure with the blades. try using a good shaving creame and do short even strokes instead at a 45 degree angle of just pressing the blade into your skin
highly recommend scissors over a trimmer for any beard that isn't kept very short. not everyone's hairs grow the same length/curliness/direction. scissors allow shaping your hairs (however they may grow) to your own face. don't have to make them all the same length
I recommend reaching out to the Metatron for Latin translations, I bet he'd be willing to help, he's pretty cool and knowledgeable about this kinda stuff.
Sgian dbuh was a utility knife and I'm sure they would have been used to shave But then again trecking the highlands of Scotland you need a beard to keep warm
One important thing to remember is facial hair (like much of pre-renaissance art) is not to be taken too literally - Beards are a good example as they are often used as a kind of shorthand to depict age - clean shaven = youth, Mustache/short beard/goatee = adult male, long beard (esp grey) for an older man. Equally hair can be used to denote status long hair for high status and short for low - this one is easy to explain - Lice! Also the mustachio has long been a symbol of the military man- with or without a beard.
I think it's possible that, as medieval men aged and their skin became looser and more wrinkled, shaving became more difficult and so they would stop doing it. That's one reason older men may have had long beards more often anyway, although I'm sure there could be many reasons.
I think mirrors would be the rarer thing than razors and by mirrors i mean ones you could use to shave by and get flawless results when it comes to missing hairs. Also explains why people got others to shave them. But this is just my thoughts. Although most people shared their beds and helped dress eachother more as well so that might just be part of the more intimate medieval/ancient cultures.
its safe to say, even if it was way more usual to follow trends to conform in the past, that did not stop being whatever the hell they wanted to their appearance
I usualy just let my beard and stashe grow naturally and then just shorten it with a pair of scissors, beard maintenence dun have to be complicated. Also its nice to see a video dedicated to beards when your at the age when you can actually grow a decent one and style it.
Facial hair was also used as a sign of marriage by some groups, much like a wedding ring is today. Only those who were married were allowed to grow facial hair.
Interesting. You managed to make an entertaining video based on some pretty thin research availability. I do appreciate the history and even though it isn't' from the time period you are aiming at, the mountain men of early N America have often said that using bear grease (yes) bees wax and an all purpose water proofing/lube item made of combining booth as product for beards and hair. Even today you can find and purchase natural bear based beard oils. I have seen accounts from roughly a hundred years before and after this time (1750's-ish)of people using resins, resin/wax blends, scented oils and greases etc all as product & smell good stuff. I believe the best place to find info would be from the Asian, or Indian cultures as that seems to be more available than Europe for the time. If you find something interesting it shouldn't be too hard to make an acceptable replica from available European sources. Cheers & thanks for the fun video
Thanks Christopher! 18th century isn't something I've talked about on the channel yet, but since this is Living Anachronism, I am going to make the case that some 18th century technology makes sense for a fantasy medieval setting, especially for things like LOTR reenactment, but I feel I have to make that argument first before I just start referencing a non medieval time period. I will definitely check out these recipes, thank you.
@@LivingAnachronism Yeah it is the anachronism bit that makes living history fun :) Steam Punk is the best fantasy experience and can stretch from roughly the 1200's to the late 1800's so... ;)
Hi Kramer, Great content as usual, and I love that it is broadcast just before the Townsends stream, it is a good anacranistic warm up. Maybe you could do a stream before Townsends and kind of "open" for them with a promotion and attached link below for viewers to use. Who knows, maybe your 14 th century buddy could stream before you. An anacranistic variety show. You could use the time vortex to do cross show promotions. This episode could be stretch out into a stream. You would still have to drop a weekly video though. Good luck with the channel, I think its a winner.
I really like that idea, get more of the community together. I think I have to get a little bigger though before I can reach out to the likes of Townsends. He's a legend. But I'd love to have to resources to create something like that.
As a long-bearded fellow who's just getting into wood working and have done a lot of work lately using chisels and mallets I'll venture the guess that wood workers back then generally didn't have long beards. It can get in the way in very painful ways.
Braiding the beard could help with this problem or even making beard sack that strap at neck. I Imagine dwarf with his huge beard working in forge with out beard protection gear it is safety hazard. I know this scene in move could look pretty hilarious. Dwarf going to forge taking his apron, toolbelt and beard protector that look like big leather sack with straps. Shoving his beard in it and talking to young dwarf tending forge fire -safety first my apprentice.
@@SeleneSalvatore That could be a hilarious scene, definitely! I never even considered a beard protecting leather sack but I think in a realistic setting, foregoing the beard is probably more practical.
The bit about being too old to care bout shaving is accurate for me at least. At 69 all my facial hair has gone white so I let it grow out. Get me plenty of compliments!
This video just made wonder...hmm...I know that through out history hair and, specifically, *hair covering* has been used to delineate status and, often, insofar as women are concerned, "virtue". And, as you've shown, monks were known to have a hairstyle that was quite peculiar to them, and provided instant recognition. So...I'm feeling the urge to go nerd out in depth on the subject of men, hair, (all the hair, in all the places) and status through the ages. That's one BIG rabbit-hole! I'm not sure if I will thank you, or curse you, should I not be able to fight this sudden compulsion. * grins *
I do believe the methods of dense milled soaps would work perfect with shaving brushes. Though, those soaps were expensive in the medieval time. I have also done safety and straight razor shaving with facial conditioners similar to hair conditioner. I have also literally used caster oil once. All I mean to say is that most soaps made in a "medieval" method is closer to some modern artisan soaps and as long as it is tallow based it would be acceptable. Glycerin is more modern but even then is at least 150 or so years old and I think slightly older.
On the topic of the 5'clock shadow: depends on context, if it is someone of wealth and power(like a king or emperor) i can guarantee its going to be their style that they are maintaining. If its a pleb, yeah they're just not shaving very often.
I use a shavette. It's easy enough to do on your own. I wear a beard year round and simply trim around it. My barber regularly shapes it. I do spoil myself and use shave soap with a couple drops of oil to build my own lather.
when i cosplayed a swashbuckler, I did a van Dyke, as seen in many portraits of renaissance men. Partly because it fit my beard, heh. Anyway, I expect some of the partial beard styles were showing you were both manly enough to have a beard, and rich enough to have a very good razor.
When growing a mustache, I used my uncle as a shield, claiming that I like my uncle so much I also wanted to grow a mustache like him. ... actually, that was the truth. Though few people believed me for whatever reason.
I can’t remember the source, but in the absence of a traditional razor or knife you can sharpen the edge of a sea shell into an effective razor. As far as a mirror, you can hold a shallow dish over a candle or rush light and coat it with soot. Then you fill the dish with water. The soot is hydrophobic, so the water creates a black mirror.
You may not be able to tell me what to do, but it was certainly a compelling video which makes me want to break down facial hair styles by culture, class, and maybe religion in my homebrew setting for D&D. I already have dragonborn (and other draconic races like kobold and lizardfolk) Russian accents and minor sexual dimorphism (males have colorful feather plumes, females do not). You’re a fantastic channel and I wish you made more content for me to watch and interact with (perhaps clone yourself so that you can do so without dying from the effort?)
I like this kind of "slice of life" video, bringing info about the possible day to day stuff, thanks! As for reading that French book in Latin, just need to find a fellow youtuber that speaks Latin .. maybe someone from Sicily ... who's also into history?
I do not know when shaving brushes were made, but I assume that special soaps often were used to add lubricant and protection from the blade. Modern artisian shaving soaps are typically made with Tallow.
fascinating video :) and not a topic that I've ever thought to research because I can't grow a beard for obvious reasons LOL A thought: you mention how no one is drawn shaving them-self, is it possible that this was because people who were wealthy/important enough to have art made of them were also wealthy enough to have a servant to shave them, and that people who were not shaved them-self and were never drawn, because why would you draw a random ordinary guy trimming his beard?
Perhaps, though I am inclined to say no, simply because some of the art depicts monks or lower-class people as well. I saw one source saying that the local surgeon was the one to shave people, because he had very sharp tools already.
@@LivingAnachronism I didn't do any research, it was just a theory, so I guess if a blade sharp enough to shave was not common place it would make more sense to go to someone else to get a shave
Gotta remember there's a difference between 'growing a beard' and just not shaving. Shaving was even more of a task in the past. I suspect a five-o-clock shadow was pretty common.
I've grown into a simple 2 finger long beard that I maintain with a pair of scissors and a razor to keep the neck slightly clean. I find it works well for medieval style looks while still allows me to fulfil my workplace requirements of being representable. Side note, straight razor shaving your head is a horror I do not with upon anyone. With my advancing male pattern baldness it's the only style that works for me, but it allows me to stay more or less immune to pests and parasites on my scalp. 😎
Don't feel bad Kramer, the only things I can really grow well is a moustache, goatee and soul patch, everywhere else it grows really patchy, but I'm working on that
I had a friend in collage. Who tried very hard. But the tufts were almost sad. It can be said that a thick beard will need washing regularly. And vigorously. So be happy you are not eating your mustache.
Bronze razors are really cool, and really really common finds when it comes to bronze age arifacts. If you're reenacting any period of Greece olive oil is your best friend, but you rpobably already know this lol.
Great video, basically over that period of time accross all of europe, you would have seen any kind of facial hair that people could dream up. I guess what you wouldn't see is like a perfectly tapered fade from sideburn to beard as is popular right now. I'd say most people should let their folicles decide. Where it is thick, let it grow. Shave what is scruffy or patchy. A more natural line rather than a very sharp straight shaved line is likely to be less trendy and a more enduring style. It's really easy to make styling paste with any kind of oil or fat mixed with bees wax. This would have been super expensive though. I use coconut oil but olive oil, hazel, walnut or almond oil would be nice. If you made Gee, that would be alright. Some animal fat if it was rendered well. Not sure what you could use to replace wax but maybe plant resin or something. I use a straight razor because its badass and reduces waste. Shaving with water or oil is no problem for me but i really only shave my neck and cheek bones. Their razors would have probably had lower carbon content so would need more frequent honing and stropping. I am more dubious about the quality of their scissors.
Not gonna lie, I read the title as “Fantasy and Medieval Bards”. Thought this was going to point out how Medieval jesters couldn’t cast Thunder Wave. 🤦♂️ Still a good vid tho.
My beard trimmer broke a few months ago. I prefer a goatee. So I’ve just started using my pocket knife scissors to trim the beard and a razor to clean up my neck and cheeks. It’s a little more time consuming to use the scissors, but I’ve gotten used to it. I could always buy another beard trimmer, but at this point I only think about it when I’m shaving and don’t have my phone on me, so I usually forget about it when I’m in a situation where I could buy it at the store or order it online. And honestly, the results are fine. Lol. So there we have human nature, a little laziness, and doing what is most comfortable.
Even then Halt goes to the barber and gets his beard proper cleaned up for his marriage amd i think afterwards he's on a bit of a tighter leash when ot comes to beard maintenance when at home.
I like to grow my beard but I'll also sometimes get a hot towel shave...I can't grow a long flowing beard though I know that. My first beard (before I got it shaved just before the dark times of 2020) was a full on 5 years of growing...and it just stayed bushy and wouldn't really grow down. I looked less like a wizened sage and more like a mountain man from the old west lol. Maybe it was the fact I rarely combed it, maybe it's just I need to grow my beard for longer than 5 years...but I can certainly say a beard is a lot of work to keep it maintained even at the most minimal level of washing it with beard shampoo and using some beard oil to keep it from drying out.
I shaved without soap for years, just using hot water (opens pores up for a better shave) honestly I don't get why people think you can't shave without soap.
I've not been to a barber yet that is willing to shave or even trim a beard in my area. I did go get my hair cut once by a hair dresser once, and she wanted to trim my beard just to try her hand at it. A family friend from China plucks his face hairs. He would on occasion compare his 5 o'clock shadow to my beard for a laugh. 🤣
My facial hair grew in so slowly when I was 18 that I remember plucking some chin whiskers in the community bathroom my freshman year of college and getting laughed at by the dudes with full-on shaving kits. Then I got me a shaving kit and tried to keep up with the Joneses. Then coworkers asked why I still looked like a young buck with a squeaky clean face, so I decided to let it grow out like they had. They're the ones with envy now--beard envy!
I'm not too concerned about the way I look give no shits about how people look that said I don't cut my hair because I'm too lazy but I cut my mustache because it gets huge and I eat it😅 good video it's cool to see what others do.👏
I'm not sure that cold water is mandatory, you could definitely heat up water back then, but you can get used to cold water shaving. Cold water is actually pretty good if you have sensitive skin/hair.
My face only allows to grow a beard & moustache like Ragnar (Fimmel) had in the Vikings. I have those same hair-free areas as him. Maybe that ain't so bad 🤔
You want to use oil. Someone who made a living cutting people's hair would have most likely owned sharpening stones that would have made razors sharp enough for more or less smooth shave. It would have probably been good for business to have the sharpest razor in the town. I figure the process was similar then as it's today. Moisten and soften the hair with wet hot rags, apply oil, go to town and wash with cool water.
I wonder if the pomade mix of tallow and beeswax is an old enough recipe that men would have used it in the medieval period. (It doesn’t smell terrible if you render the tallow correctly and mix in enough beeswax. Even better if you mix in herbs and spices known to repel bugs like lice that just so happen to smell nice. They weren’t stupid. Most housewives would have had access to all of the needed ingredients and had the knowledge of how, so would a fair number of the guys.) After all the ingredients were easy enough to come by. And the fat they would have used was probably more of a skin conditioning thing than hair care as the time period was drastically colder than now. If a pomade, rudimentary or not, was available I can easily see some of the more drastic hair and beard styles catching on among the idle ones in the noble class while the other nobles were snickering at them, the merchants egging them on, and the pheasants rolling their eyes at the lot of them. As for the razor/knife argument, even as a female, I can tell you if used properly and if sharp enough (sharpened at the right angle because knives are generally not sharpened at the correct angle to cut hair) either will work and you’re less likely to nick with them than a disposable razor. I’ve used straight razors and double edged safety razors and they both work better and faster than disposables and electrics. I haven’t nicked in nearly 2 years now. (A massive key: never force the blade, let it glide. If you feel like you have to force the blade to cut you’ve lost your edge and almost guaranteed to slice yourself.) Even on sensitive and delicate skin I refuse to go back.
see also Leviticus 19:27, according to google translate direct from my Tanakh (one word at a time) "no לא attacked תקפו wig פאת your head ראשכם &no ולא you will corrupt תשחית you את wig פאת your beard זקנך"
I remember Graybeart Halt from RA "Greybeard Halt is a friend of mine He lives on Redmont hill Greybeard Halt never took a bath And they say he never will! Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt Fare thee well, I say Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt I’ll see you on your way Greybeard Halt, he lost a bet He lost his winter cloak When winter comes, Halt stays warm By sleeping 'mongst the goats. Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt Fare thee well, I say Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt I'll see you on your way. Greybeard Halt, he lives with goats That's what I’ve heard tell He hasn’t changed his socks for years But the goats don't mind the smell! Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt Fare thee well, I say Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt I’ll see you on your way Greybeard Halt is a fighting man I’ve heard common talk That Greybeard Halt, he cuts his hair With his saxe knife and fork! Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt Fare thee well, I say Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt I’ll see you on your way"
My piece of advise: don't do it the same day you want to larp!! 😂😅 Do the cuttings experiments some weeks Before! So you have time to let it grow again in case of need! 😅😷
oh oh oh ohw, there are plainty of descritions of bearded elves in professor tolkien work, were is this passage that says about aragorn lack of beard??
Hilariously, I'm a woman and I can shave with a straight razor. My dad won't let me touch that pirate grass growing on his chin but it's relatively easy to do legs and other places once you get the hang of it
my dad loves using a straight razor. he says it makes him feel super masculine, and is an important part of his morning routine. as a trans girl, *I* hate every minute of it, but I guess that is my own fault for being so modern xD
Can’t grow a beard due to physiological hormone differences usually known as cis womanhood (though some women do occasionally grow beards like Harnaam Kaur) - but I do love new knowledge and history!
"Tickles your lip the wrong way."
As a proud owner of finally quite a full beard, this hits in weird spots.
The funniest thing i saw was facial reconition tech being used to recreate the from statues a heap of Roman emperors, and someone in the comments was like: "As if they would have had facial hair like that without a stylist."
And its like: Mate, these guys are THE GOD EMPERORS OF ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL EMPIRES IN HUMAN HISTORY. They are going to have their own frickin stylists.
Just a fun little fact: full beards with the mustache shaved are often referred to as the "whaler beard" so it might've been a fashion choice dating all the way back to medieval times for sailors too!
I've grown up hearing it referred to as the Amish beard or the
German Baptist " 'sctacheless" beard.
A beard is warm on the frozen ocean but a frozen mustache is a pain.
The Amish (to my understanding) shave only the mustache to mirror a 18th century military mandatory facial hair style.
Fun fact: Tolkien's elves could in fact grow facial hair. Cirdan had a full beard.
That one dude who was a freak among elves.
And a great lad he was indeed.
Was that the Silmarillion? I forgot about that!
I'm not too lazy to shave, I'm reenacting!
Hygiene changed with the times just like beard styles. Plants for making soap like English Ivy and Soapwort we're used off and on throughout Europe since ancient times. Making a soap from English Ivy suitable for washing and as a shaving lubricant takes about 10 minutes once you've collected enough leaves to make the stuff.
Fun fact. No shave November just happens to coincide with deer hunting season. Deer can easily smell things like aftershave, so that's my theory on it's origins
Good point!
This November 1st will mark my very first time going a full year without any shaving or legitimate trimming of any kind.
Haven't messed with it since November of last year, but it's only reached about 5 or 6 inches
Beards were created and destroyed, but never forgotten
Is the hipster beard still in fation?
@@Eclispestar idk
I love your references to the Ranger's Apprentice. I loved reading those books but I don't know anyone else who has read them.
They were my favorite books back in high school. I read them so many times!
Beards and history you say… count me in!!
I recall from _Njáls saga_ when Njal's enemies taunt him for his beardlessness.
We take for granted a lot of operations that our technology allows us to do in individual households now. Shaving, bathing, baking...It's good to reflect on the economics of all this.
I wouldn't put much beyond the aristocracy of the High Middle Ages in Christian western Europe when it comes to difficulty and fuss in grooming. After all, those were the people who would roast a peacock and then stick all the feathers back on - and maybe gild it for good measure.
Anybody remember the scene in _Crocodile Dundee_ where he pretends to shave with his bowie knife?
C Stanford, wouldn’t be surprised if they use straight razors in The Outback. The Bowie Knife shaving is probably a bit of poetic licence. Might have been Paul Hogan’s idea given his characters he was playing on Aussie TV pre-Croc Dundee.
Real men shave with their axes as the hair is as thick as tree branches. Chuck Noris would cut the razor with his beard.
@@michaelb7862 it was to impress the girl. He actually shaves with a cheap plastic razor, then sees her coming, hides it and takes his big knife out.
Similar to the judging time. He looks at his companions watch, steps forward, squints at the sun and tells the time.
@@michaelb7862 For sure. It was definitely meant for humor: the character was putting on the act for the reporter.
The English translation of the insult levvied against his sons goes something like this:
"The sons on Njall on manhood bent
and fearing less they be unfit,
bedaubed their chins with excrement
and that is why they reek of shit."
Viking insults were incredibly inventive.
Oh damn I read bards, and I was really excited for your description of medieval entertainer. Now I'm excited for a description of medieval facial hair instead!
Plz do a bit on bards though that's a fascinating topic
The bards Beard. Or those beard competitions in Germany. Those are crazy cool.
We've got bardbarians, now it's time for beardbarians!
I have become a fan of straight razors. I have a coarse thick beard. The straight razor hacks through it. Any of those Gillette multi blade just clogs and dulls after a use or 2.
My brother uses a straight razor, it takes longer to grow back too. Personally i cut my neck enough with a guillet as it is.
I've switched to safety razors because of the clogging issue too. Also, it's just so much cheaper than cartridge razors! I can buy good blades for less than 10 cents each, and they last half a month each.
my husband has a thick coarse beard . he uses a Double edged safety razor. his face is so smooth and less stubbly after and he gets less ingrowns too
@@rileyernst9086 thats because you apply to much pressure with the blades. try using a good shaving creame and do short even strokes instead at a 45 degree angle of just pressing the blade into your skin
highly recommend scissors over a trimmer for any beard that isn't kept very short. not everyone's hairs grow the same length/curliness/direction. scissors allow shaping your hairs (however they may grow) to your own face. don't have to make them all the same length
I actually fix that by repeated combings. Not sure about everyone, but my facial hair, at least, trains the same as the hair on my scalp.
I recommend reaching out to the Metatron for Latin translations, I bet he'd be willing to help, he's pretty cool and knowledgeable about this kinda stuff.
Sgian dbuh was a utility knife and I'm sure they would have been used to shave
But then again trecking the highlands of Scotland you need a beard to keep warm
One important thing to remember is facial hair (like much of pre-renaissance art) is not to be taken too literally - Beards are a good example as they are often used as a kind of shorthand to depict age - clean shaven = youth, Mustache/short beard/goatee = adult male, long beard (esp grey) for an older man. Equally hair can be used to denote status long hair for high status and short for low - this one is easy to explain - Lice! Also the mustachio has long been a symbol of the military man- with or without a beard.
I think it's possible that, as medieval men aged and their skin became looser and more wrinkled, shaving became more difficult and so they would stop doing it. That's one reason older men may have had long beards more often anyway, although I'm sure there could be many reasons.
I hadn't thought of that, that is a really good point!
This is the highlight of my week. Thanks again for your hard work.
I shave with just water....you get used to it.
I think as long as you clean your face first it isn’t a terrible choice
I stare at my facial hair angrily until it falls out.
When your beard hair is almost 1mm thick you don't do that.
I think mirrors would be the rarer thing than razors and by mirrors i mean ones you could use to shave by and get flawless results when it comes to missing hairs. Also explains why people got others to shave them. But this is just my thoughts. Although most people shared their beds and helped dress eachother more as well so that might just be part of the more intimate medieval/ancient cultures.
Cold pressed olive oil and tea tree oil mixed is what I used before. One of my ex's was a cosmetologist and gave me the idea.
its safe to say, even if it was way more usual to follow trends to conform in the past, that did not stop being whatever the hell they wanted to their appearance
I usualy just let my beard and stashe grow naturally and then just shorten it with a pair of scissors, beard maintenence dun have to be complicated. Also its nice to see a video dedicated to beards when your at the age when you can actually grow a decent one and style it.
It is currently no-shave New Years 2020 - present for me. 5 o'clock passed a long time ago.
Facial hair was also used as a sign of marriage by some groups, much like a wedding ring is today. Only those who were married were allowed to grow facial hair.
I didn't know that, thank you!
Interesting. You managed to make an entertaining video based on some pretty thin research availability. I do appreciate the history and even though it isn't' from the time period you are aiming at, the mountain men of early N America have often said that using bear grease (yes) bees wax and an all purpose water proofing/lube item made of combining booth as product for beards and hair. Even today you can find and purchase natural bear based beard oils.
I have seen accounts from roughly a hundred years before and after this time (1750's-ish)of people using resins, resin/wax blends, scented oils and greases etc all as product & smell good stuff.
I believe the best place to find info would be from the Asian, or Indian cultures as that seems to be more available than Europe for the time. If you find something interesting it shouldn't be too hard to make an acceptable replica from available European sources.
Cheers & thanks for the fun video
Thanks Christopher! 18th century isn't something I've talked about on the channel yet, but since this is Living Anachronism, I am going to make the case that some 18th century technology makes sense for a fantasy medieval setting, especially for things like LOTR reenactment, but I feel I have to make that argument first before I just start referencing a non medieval time period. I will definitely check out these recipes, thank you.
@@LivingAnachronism Yeah it is the anachronism bit that makes living history fun :) Steam Punk is the best fantasy experience and can stretch from roughly the 1200's to the late 1800's so... ;)
Hi Kramer,
Great content as usual, and I love that it is broadcast just before the Townsends stream, it is a good anacranistic warm up. Maybe you could do a stream before Townsends and kind of "open" for them with a promotion and attached link below for viewers to use. Who knows, maybe your 14 th century buddy could stream before you. An anacranistic variety show. You could use the time vortex to do cross show promotions. This episode could be stretch out into a stream. You would still have to drop a weekly video though.
Good luck with the channel, I think its a winner.
I really like that idea, get more of the community together. I think I have to get a little bigger though before I can reach out to the likes of Townsends. He's a legend. But I'd love to have to resources to create something like that.
As a long-bearded fellow who's just getting into wood working and have done a lot of work lately using chisels and mallets I'll venture the guess that wood workers back then generally didn't have long beards. It can get in the way in very painful ways.
Great point!
Braiding the beard could help with this problem or even making beard sack that strap at neck. I Imagine dwarf with his huge beard working in forge with out beard protection gear it is safety hazard. I know this scene in move could look pretty hilarious. Dwarf going to forge taking his apron, toolbelt and beard protector that look like big leather sack with straps. Shoving his beard in it and talking to young dwarf tending forge fire -safety first my apprentice.
@@SeleneSalvatore That could be a hilarious scene, definitely!
I never even considered a beard protecting leather sack but I think in a realistic setting, foregoing the beard is probably more practical.
The bit about being too old to care bout shaving is accurate for me at least. At 69 all my facial hair has gone white so I let it grow out.
Get me plenty of compliments!
69? nice
Normal noble: Barber
Halt: Saxon's knife is on every time the best option to be honest.
I understand this reference
This video just made wonder...hmm...I know that through out history hair and, specifically, *hair covering* has been used to delineate status and, often, insofar as women are concerned, "virtue". And, as you've shown, monks were known to have a hairstyle that was quite peculiar to them, and provided instant recognition. So...I'm feeling the urge to go nerd out in depth on the subject of men, hair, (all the hair, in all the places) and status through the ages. That's one BIG rabbit-hole! I'm not sure if I will thank you, or curse you, should I not be able to fight this sudden compulsion. * grins *
Good luck on your quest for knowledge!
There's also about 97% of history that we don't know about so I mean anything could be historically accurate.
I do believe the methods of dense milled soaps would work perfect with shaving brushes. Though, those soaps were expensive in the medieval time. I have also done safety and straight razor shaving with facial conditioners similar to hair conditioner. I have also literally used caster oil once. All I mean to say is that most soaps made in a "medieval" method is closer to some modern artisan soaps and as long as it is tallow based it would be acceptable. Glycerin is more modern but even then is at least 150 or so years old and I think slightly older.
On the topic of the 5'clock shadow: depends on context, if it is someone of wealth and power(like a king or emperor) i can guarantee its going to be their style that they are maintaining. If its a pleb, yeah they're just not shaving very often.
I use a shavette. It's easy enough to do on your own. I wear a beard year round and simply trim around it. My barber regularly shapes it. I do spoil myself and use shave soap with a couple drops of oil to build my own lather.
Been growing everything out, hair and beard and now I'm going to have to pick the style and live the larp
when i cosplayed a swashbuckler, I did a van Dyke, as seen in many portraits of renaissance men. Partly because it fit my beard, heh.
Anyway, I expect some of the partial beard styles were showing you were both manly enough to have a beard, and rich enough to have a very good razor.
Shaved once with candle as only source of light. That was cool.
Also, safety razor (that look like medieval razor) is on my shopping list.
Saw this video and instantly got excited!
I misread that for bard
Glad I'm not the only one!
I never heard no shave November was to raise awareness for men's cancer. That was interesting.
When growing a mustache, I used my uncle as a shield, claiming that I like my uncle so much I also wanted to grow a mustache like him.
... actually, that was the truth. Though few people believed me for whatever reason.
Happy Friday! Your videos are an exciting part of my week. Thanks!
Thank you!
lips are a very sensitive area to cut in shaving or plucking. Trust me as a woman who's done both. It hurts!
I can’t remember the source, but in the absence of a traditional razor or knife you can sharpen the edge of a sea shell into an effective razor. As far as a mirror, you can hold a shallow dish over a candle or rush light and coat it with soot. Then you fill the dish with water. The soot is hydrophobic, so the water creates a black mirror.
You may not be able to tell me what to do, but it was certainly a compelling video which makes me want to break down facial hair styles by culture, class, and maybe religion in my homebrew setting for D&D. I already have dragonborn (and other draconic races like kobold and lizardfolk) Russian accents and minor sexual dimorphism (males have colorful feather plumes, females do not). You’re a fantastic channel and I wish you made more content for me to watch and interact with (perhaps clone yourself so that you can do so without dying from the effort?)
i remember someone saying they used grease if they didn't have soap :/
but if that works is beyond me
I like this kind of "slice of life" video, bringing info about the possible day to day stuff, thanks! As for reading that French book in Latin, just need to find a fellow youtuber that speaks Latin .. maybe someone from Sicily ... who's also into history?
Greetings fellow Noble One!
@@LivingAnachronism Salutatio!
I do not know when shaving brushes were made, but I assume that special soaps often were used to add lubricant and protection from the blade. Modern artisian shaving soaps are typically made with Tallow.
Properly rendered lard is odorless and does not rot. Used in your hair it gives a shiny wet look reminiscent of the early 20th century.
fascinating video :) and not a topic that I've ever thought to research because I can't grow a beard for obvious reasons LOL
A thought: you mention how no one is drawn shaving them-self, is it possible that this was because people who were wealthy/important enough to have art made of them were also wealthy enough to have a servant to shave them, and that people who were not shaved them-self and were never drawn, because why would you draw a random ordinary guy trimming his beard?
Perhaps, though I am inclined to say no, simply because some of the art depicts monks or lower-class people as well. I saw one source saying that the local surgeon was the one to shave people, because he had very sharp tools already.
@@LivingAnachronism I didn't do any research, it was just a theory, so I guess if a blade sharp enough to shave was not common place it would make more sense to go to someone else to get a shave
A lot of people didn't have very good mirrors either so it makes sense to ask someone else to do it.
I really wish I could grow a full beard... it was my childhood dream which regretfully never came to be.
Gotta remember there's a difference between 'growing a beard' and just not shaving. Shaving was even more of a task in the past. I suspect a five-o-clock shadow was pretty common.
I'm watching in November, but a year after this video was made.😁
Regardless of time and location the 2 most acceptable options are 1) clean shaven 2) well maintained
I've grown into a simple 2 finger long beard that I maintain with a pair of scissors and a razor to keep the neck slightly clean.
I find it works well for medieval style looks while still allows me to fulfil my workplace requirements of being representable.
Side note, straight razor shaving your head is a horror I do not with upon anyone. With my advancing male pattern baldness it's the only style that works for me, but it allows me to stay more or less immune to pests and parasites on my scalp. 😎
Don't feel bad Kramer, the only things I can really grow well is a moustache, goatee and soul patch, everywhere else it grows really patchy, but I'm working on that
Oh yeah I'm so excited for this video....wish I could grow good facial hair though.
I had a friend in collage. Who tried very hard. But the tufts were almost sad. It can be said that a thick beard will need washing regularly. And vigorously. So be happy you are not eating your mustache.
I have used beef tallow as a beard balm to good effect.
Bronze razors are really cool, and really really common finds when it comes to bronze age arifacts. If you're reenacting any period of Greece olive oil is your best friend, but you rpobably already know this lol.
Very interesting as always. I appreciate the amount of research that goes into your videos.
Great video, basically over that period of time accross all of europe, you would have seen any kind of facial hair that people could dream up.
I guess what you wouldn't see is like a perfectly tapered fade from sideburn to beard as is popular right now.
I'd say most people should let their folicles decide. Where it is thick, let it grow. Shave what is scruffy or patchy. A more natural line rather than a very sharp straight shaved line is likely to be less trendy and a more enduring style.
It's really easy to make styling paste with any kind of oil or fat mixed with bees wax. This would have been super expensive though.
I use coconut oil but olive oil, hazel, walnut or almond oil would be nice.
If you made Gee, that would be alright. Some animal fat if it was rendered well.
Not sure what you could use to replace wax but maybe plant resin or something.
I use a straight razor because its badass and reduces waste. Shaving with water or oil is no problem for me but i really only shave my neck and cheek bones.
Their razors would have probably had lower carbon content so would need more frequent honing and stropping. I am more dubious about the quality of their scissors.
Not gonna lie, I read the title as “Fantasy and Medieval Bards”. Thought this was going to point out how Medieval jesters couldn’t cast Thunder Wave. 🤦♂️
Still a good vid tho.
Toss a coin to your barber!
My beard trimmer broke a few months ago. I prefer a goatee. So I’ve just started using my pocket knife scissors to trim the beard and a razor to clean up my neck and cheeks. It’s a little more time consuming to use the scissors, but I’ve gotten used to it. I could always buy another beard trimmer, but at this point I only think about it when I’m shaving and don’t have my phone on me, so I usually forget about it when I’m in a situation where I could buy it at the store or order it online. And honestly, the results are fine. Lol.
So there we have human nature, a little laziness, and doing what is most comfortable.
Even then Halt goes to the barber and gets his beard proper cleaned up for his marriage amd i think afterwards he's on a bit of a tighter leash when ot comes to beard maintenance when at home.
i can't grow mustache. i didn't know i was historically accurate
I like to grow my beard but I'll also sometimes get a hot towel shave...I can't grow a long flowing beard though I know that. My first beard (before I got it shaved just before the dark times of 2020) was a full on 5 years of growing...and it just stayed bushy and wouldn't really grow down. I looked less like a wizened sage and more like a mountain man from the old west lol. Maybe it was the fact I rarely combed it, maybe it's just I need to grow my beard for longer than 5 years...but I can certainly say a beard is a lot of work to keep it maintained even at the most minimal level of washing it with beard shampoo and using some beard oil to keep it from drying out.
I shaved without soap for years, just using hot water (opens pores up for a better shave) honestly I don't get why people think you can't shave without soap.
Razor burn.
Possible, but ill-advised
None of this content applies to me, but hey, knowledge. I will never pass up information. :P
Interesting 🧐🤔
I've not been to a barber yet that is willing to shave or even trim a beard in my area.
I did go get my hair cut once by a hair dresser once, and she wanted to trim my beard just to try her hand at it.
A family friend from China plucks his face hairs. He would on occasion compare his 5 o'clock shadow to my beard for a laugh. 🤣
The last time I had a bare face, excepting my mustache, I did in fact pluck it, not because I wanted it gone though, just a habit.
Shortened my mustache with my teeth too.
My facial hair grew in so slowly when I was 18 that I remember plucking some chin whiskers in the community bathroom my freshman year of college and getting laughed at by the dudes with full-on shaving kits.
Then I got me a shaving kit and tried to keep up with the Joneses.
Then coworkers asked why I still looked like a young buck with a squeaky clean face, so I decided to let it grow out like they had.
They're the ones with envy now--beard envy!
I'm not too concerned about the way I look give no shits about how people look that said I don't cut my hair because I'm too lazy but I cut my mustache because it gets huge and I eat it😅 good video it's cool to see what others do.👏
13:16 Bartholomew, why did you draw the king in this way? He looks addled.
😂
I'm not sure that cold water is mandatory, you could definitely heat up water back then, but you can get used to cold water shaving. Cold water is actually pretty good if you have sensitive skin/hair.
5:20 proof that anime was a thing also in middle ages
omaiwa mo...shinderu!
My face only allows to grow a beard & moustache like Ragnar (Fimmel) had in the Vikings.
I have those same hair-free areas as him.
Maybe that ain't so bad 🤔
You want to use oil.
Someone who made a living cutting people's hair would have most likely owned sharpening stones that would have made razors sharp enough for more or less smooth shave. It would have probably been good for business to have the sharpest razor in the town. I figure the process was similar then as it's today. Moisten and soften the hair with wet hot rags, apply oil, go to town and wash with cool water.
Facial hair? Rabbit hole? I thought for a moment that this was going to swing into a discussion about Radagast.
I wonder if the pomade mix of tallow and beeswax is an old enough recipe that men would have used it in the medieval period. (It doesn’t smell terrible if you render the tallow correctly and mix in enough beeswax. Even better if you mix in herbs and spices known to repel bugs like lice that just so happen to smell nice. They weren’t stupid. Most housewives would have had access to all of the needed ingredients and had the knowledge of how, so would a fair number of the guys.) After all the ingredients were easy enough to come by. And the fat they would have used was probably more of a skin conditioning thing than hair care as the time period was drastically colder than now. If a pomade, rudimentary or not, was available I can easily see some of the more drastic hair and beard styles catching on among the idle ones in the noble class while the other nobles were snickering at them, the merchants egging them on, and the pheasants rolling their eyes at the lot of them.
As for the razor/knife argument, even as a female, I can tell you if used properly and if sharp enough (sharpened at the right angle because knives are generally not sharpened at the correct angle to cut hair) either will work and you’re less likely to nick with them than a disposable razor. I’ve used straight razors and double edged safety razors and they both work better and faster than disposables and electrics. I haven’t nicked in nearly 2 years now. (A massive key: never force the blade, let it glide. If you feel like you have to force the blade to cut you’ve lost your edge and almost guaranteed to slice yourself.) Even on sensitive and delicate skin I refuse to go back.
I'm a real medievalist. I'm getting someone to shave me.
It can be quite hot when your shaver is a she.
Lol...best channel name ever!!! Yea, i'm new here.
Welcome! Glad you enjoy!
see also Leviticus 19:27, according to google translate direct from my Tanakh (one word at a time) "no לא attacked תקפו wig פאת your head ראשכם &no ולא you will corrupt תשחית you את wig פאת your beard זקנך"
I remember Graybeart Halt from RA "Greybeard Halt is a friend of mine
He lives on Redmont hill
Greybeard Halt never took a bath
And they say he never will!
Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt
Fare thee well, I say
Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt
I’ll see you on your way
Greybeard Halt, he lost a bet
He lost his winter cloak
When winter comes, Halt stays warm
By sleeping 'mongst the goats.
Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt
Fare thee well, I say
Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt
I'll see you on your way.
Greybeard Halt, he lives with goats
That's what I’ve heard tell
He hasn’t changed his socks for years
But the goats don't mind the smell!
Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt
Fare thee well, I say
Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt
I’ll see you on your way
Greybeard Halt is a fighting man
I’ve heard common talk
That Greybeard Halt, he cuts his hair
With his saxe knife and fork!
Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt
Fare thee well, I say
Fare thee well, Greybeard Halt
I’ll see you on your way"
0:48 "Nobody likes Cancer."
You must be Capricorn, right?
haha no, but that's hilarious
My piece of advise: don't do it the same day you want to larp!! 😂😅
Do the cuttings experiments some weeks Before! So you have time to let it grow again in case of need! 😅😷
oh oh oh ohw, there are plainty of descritions of bearded elves in professor tolkien work, were is this passage that says about aragorn lack of beard??
Hilariously, I'm a woman and I can shave with a straight razor. My dad won't let me touch that pirate grass growing on his chin but it's relatively easy to do legs and other places once you get the hang of it
I have been keeping a full beard for the past 7 years and all I do is comb it after shower and give a quick rub with mineral oil.
So in conclusion, whatever we have nowadays works.
What about trimming? You just go at it with a pair of shears?
U can get hard shave soap nowadays that r what people would've used back then
👍❤️
my dad loves using a straight razor. he says it makes him feel super masculine, and is an important part of his morning routine.
as a trans girl, *I* hate every minute of it, but I guess that is my own fault for being so modern xD
wish i could just put a beard on like a LEGO my "mustache" is awful i just need to shave it lol
Can’t grow a beard due to physiological hormone differences usually known as cis womanhood (though some women do occasionally grow beards like Harnaam Kaur) - but I do love new knowledge and history!
Me, a 14 year old girl: *interesting*
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻