Cleanliness was a challenge even in the monasteries
In the early days of the medieval period, the monasteries represented the highest levels of human achievement in the fields of publishing, philosophy, science, agriculture, medicine, and mechanics. Yet even in the monasteries personal hygiene was difficult to achieve. In most, bathing of the entire body was limited to two or three times per year. Personal cleanliness was supported by the provision of wash basins, in which the good brothers would wash their hands and faces prior to meeting for their communal meals. The monasteries provided the water in the basins, and to ensure cleanliness made sure it was changed at least once per week. No doubt washing one’s face in water which had previously been used by countless brothers just before enjoying one’s breakfast was an invigorating experience. Most monasteries also thoughtfully provided towels.
From these and other arrangements, such as in the palaces and houses of the more well-to-do, it is evident that washing with water was not looked upon with disdain. People knew to wash, especially removing the day’s grime from their hands prior to enjoying their meals. They just didn’t know how to do it. The removal of grime could be confirmed visually, the removal of pathogens, which were at any rate wholly unknown, could not. Washing in water previously used by others for the same purpose was nonetheless still washing, and the cleansed hands could be presented at table without shame. They were used to extract victuals from the communal pot without concern of spreading disease. After all, the absence of visible dirt meant the hands were clean, fulfilling at least a small part of the unwritten social contract among civilized people.