Would Your Medieval Home Have A Rug?
The most popular image of the medieval floor is stone flags. Just look at any cartoon.
And that was extremely common. They and hard-packed dirt floors were in Book of Hours’ depictions of the holy family, and later Book of Hours, like the famous Duc De Berry’s, depicted wooden floors for more prosperous families.
Let’s consider all of their options though
Tiles
Making something to cover the floor was an expense the average home between 500 and 1000 generally couldn’t afford, but that changed around the turn of the millennium. They could start making ceramic tiles with local clay that they dug in the winter and matured in the summer, and skilled craftsmen started laying the tiles on the floors of the very rich.
In the 1300’s, tile became more common, and a full industry of tile making was in full swing in places like London by the 1400's.
Reeds
Rushes, or more accurately, sweet flag plants, were often spread over the floors of wealthy homes or important buildings. These would be mixed in with herbs to keep down the bugs and make the place smell nice.
These bundles would be tossed and replaced twice a year according to household management books.
Later in the Middle Ages, people would take these plants and weave them into their own carpets. These would be replaced regularly, possibly once a year, too. You can see them on the herringbone patterns on the floors depicted in Book of Hours.
In the Middle East, woven mats were pretty common for floors too.
Rugs
What we would identify as woven rugs got their start in the Middle East, being made with geometric designs and kufic borders. Byzantine and Sassanian courts bought and gifted them. They tended to go on chairs in these homes.
As part of the Crusades, knights took a bunch of these home to Europe, but they were still too fancy to go on the floor. They would be hung on walls instead or spread on a table. They didn’t move to the floor until walls got covered with plaster. By the 1600’s, rug making factories started up in Europe.
They became collectors’ items during the Renaissance, but that’s a different era.
Conclusion:
What you walk on has always had something to do with status. Only the wealthy could afford tiles, but everyone could have reeds. And no one liked a dirty floor.
The most important take-away, of course, is that, if you need some business for your character to do with their hands, they can always spread reeds or weave mats. Or perhaps they run into the dragon while collecting flea bane to spread on the rushes. Or maybe they’re tile makers. Let your imagination soar.
Suggested Sources:
What Are Rushes on Castle Floors? (reference.com)
8568492490_7671c414f4_o-708x490.jpg (708×490) (justhistoryposts.com)
A Look into Medieval Homes — Medievalists.net