Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society What Made You Ugly In Tudor Times?
May 16, 2025
Join historian Nicola Tallis, a Tudor expert, as she unpacks the era's bizarre beauty standards. Discover why royalty had worse teeth than commoners and the absurdity of lead-based cosmetics. Explore the strange intersection of beauty and witchcraft, alongside how societal pressures shaped perceptions of attractiveness. The discussion highlights the complexity of hygiene practices and the obsession with pale skin and plucked hair in a society that valued both wealth and perceived morality in its looks.
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Tudor Court Smells and Perfumes
- Tudor courts smelled foul due to crowded conditions, animals, and poor sanitation.
- Rich people used heavy perfumes and pomanders to mask bad odors and protect from disease.
Wealth Hurt Tudor Dental Health
- Rich Tudors suffered worse dental health due to sugar consumption and damaging gold/silver toothpicks.
- Poorer people had better teeth using wooden toothpicks and avoiding sugar.
Deadly Pursuit of Pale Skin
- Pale, white skin was the Tudor beauty ideal; people went to toxic lengths to achieve it.
- Lead-based makeup caused long-term skin damage and early aging but was widely used despite dangers.