--- title: "History of plumbing, pipes, and plumbers: Medieval times" description: "History of plumbing, pipes, and plumbers: Medieval times (part III of a series)" image: https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/medieval.jpg --- - [Wavin Singapore](https://blog.wavin.com/en-sg) - [History of plumbing, pipes, and plumbers: Medieval times](https://blog.wavin.com/en-sg/history-of-plumbing-pipes-and-plumbers-medieval-times-part-iii-of-a-series) # History of plumbing, pipes, and plumbers: Medieval times SEA News Share - [![Facebook](https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Wavin_March2022/images/facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.wavin.com/en-sg/history-of-plumbing-pipes-and-plumbers-medieval-times-part-iii-of-a-series) - [![Twitter](https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Wavin_March2022/images/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=History%20of%20plumbing,%20pipes,%20and%20plumbers:%20Medieval%20times&url=https://blog.wavin.com/en-sg/history-of-plumbing-pipes-and-plumbers-medieval-times-part-iii-of-a-series) - [![LinkedIn](https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Wavin_March2022/images/linkedin.svg)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.wavin.com/en-sg/history-of-plumbing-pipes-and-plumbers-medieval-times-part-iii-of-a-series) - [![Email](https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Wavin_March2022/images/email.svg)](mailto:?body=https://blog.wavin.com/en-sg/history-of-plumbing-pipes-and-plumbers-medieval-times-part-iii-of-a-series) 4 min read time 2017-02-21 07:58:00 --- We have learned about ancient aqueducts and the plumbing proclivity of the engineers and plumbers of the Roman Empire. The job description is essentially the same today: assembling and installing pipes, maintaining water, sewage and drainage systems. Health, life and modern society depends on it. Using a wooden barrel to bathe in Medieval times. Image via midievilists.net ## Too much bathing was considered dangerous... [Wavin ](http://www.wavin.com/web/wavin-corporate.htm?__hstc=24525925.a1f2103481b9db9818bba9b06edb72a1.1658822039421.1688462773090.1688967121778.214&__hssc=24525925.11.1688967121778&__hsfp=524412920)continues its look at today's world [owing much](http://theplumber.com/roman-english-legacy/) to the water systems of ancient civilizations. When the Roman Empire fell ([due in part to lead poisoning?](http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/wine/leadpoisoning.html)) there was a decline of plumbing and sanitation in Europe, through the middle ages. While personal [hygiene did exist](http://www.medievalists.net/2013/04/did-people-in-the-middle-ages-take-baths/), too much bathing was thought dangerous. Private baths were only for the wealthy and powerful, and public baths were simply too expensive for most. In 1348 the [Black Plague](http://www.history.com/topics/black-death) invaded, wiping out one third of Europe’s population by 1350. Without public sanitation and plumbing, rats and fleas thrived in garbage and waste that was growing throughout the cities and towns. During the Plague some villages lost as much as 90% of their population. And 1350 was [not the end of it](http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/black_01.shtml): the Plague reappeared many times over the next 50 years, into the fifteenth century. ![elizabeth](https://blog.wavin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/elizabeth.jpg?width=800&height=987&name=elizabeth.jpg) Queen Elizabeth the 1st: afraid of the plumbing? Image via TudorsandStuarts.com ## Afraid to use the flushing toilet... [Milestones in the art of plumbing](https://www.qssupplies.co.uk/history-of-plumbing-timeline.html) then began for the privileged few. In the late 1500’s, [Queen Elizabeth 1 ](http://elizabethi.org/)was presented with the first flush toilet, designed by her Godson, John Harington. Sources close to the Queen revealed that although enthusiastic about the flushing toilet, the queen was afraid to use it! In 1664 [King Louis XIV of France](http://www.biography.com/people/louis-xiv-9386885) ordered the construction of plumbing lines for the palace at Versailles. Small steps in sanitation and plumbing, yes, but not for the general public. It wasn’t until the nineteenth century that scientists found connections between disease and contaminated water. Sanitation is said to be the [most important medical advance ](https://www.unicef.org/wash/index_healthandeducation.html)since 1840. That’s where we pick up in our next installment – public sewers and plumbing in modern times, including Wavin of course - bringing the art and science of plumbing into the 21st century! ## Check out part I and II Make sure to also check out part I and II of our series about the history of plumbing! Part I was showing us the earliest signs of plumbing and sewer. In part II we looked at plumbing and drainage in the Roman Empire. ## Related content [ ### BIM Revit Harnessing 100% accurate content and intelligent design assistance fuels a boost in productivity that delivers invaluable efficiencies at every phase of a project. ](https://www.wavin.com/en-sg/tools-services/bim-revit) [ ### Solution We solve a wide spectrum of building & infrastructure challenges – from the sustainable management of drinking water, rainwater, and indoor heating & cooling to waste water management and sewer infrastructure. ](https://www.wavin.com/en-sg/solutions) [ ### Book A Project Consultation Connect with our specialists and learn more about our products and services. ](https://www.wavin.com/en-sg/book-a-project-consultation) [ ### Contact us Welcome to the Contact Us page for Wavin SEA+! We value your interest and feedback and are here to assist you. ](https://wavin.com/en-sg/contact)   ## Our solutions [![Wavin Drinking Water Solutions](https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/Denmark/DK%20-%20blog/Hand%20holding%20a%20glass%20that%20is%20being%20filled%20with%20drinking%20water_1024x1024px_E_NR-18865%20copy.jpg) ### Drinking water Delivering clean water efficiently and safely has become a world-wide problem. Water is lost due to leakages and ageing networks. We need to improve the distribution of clean drinking water from source to tap. We will work towards these goals by raising the quality and performance of high-pressure water distribution networks, improving safety levels of indoor drinking water supply, and building towards a new (smarter) ways of managing drinking water. ](https://www.wavin.com/en-en/solutions/solutions-for-drinking-water) [![Wavin solutions for heating and cooling](https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/Denmark/DK%20-%20blog/Gulvvarme_overgansperiode%20copy.jpg) ### Heating & Cooling People require increased comfort and well-being in the places they live and work. We need to design, build and use comfortable living environments in the most efficient and sustainable way. With the Wavin Indoor Climate solutions we aim to make a positive contribution in many different ways. We contribute to lowering energy usage when heating or cooling our homes, offices, hospitals, and more. Clean and fresh air has so many health and wellbeing benefits. ](https://www.wavin.com/en-en/solutions/solutions-for-heating-cooling) [![Wavin Solutions for Rainwater](https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/Rainwater%20on%20ground%20_1280x857px_E_NR-2564.jpg) ### Rainwater Climate change with massive rainfall, extreme heats and droughts put pressure on cities. Growing populations increasingly ask for greener living space. We need to (re)act to climate change and build livable and loveable cities. We will work towards these goals by creating integrated rainwater management solutions, countering the risk of flooded streets, avoid urban heat stress, and support greenification of cities. Our Wavin solutions already contribute. ](https://www.wavin.com/en-en/solutions/solutions-for-rainwater) [![Wavin Sewer Solutions](https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/Denmark/DK%20-%20blog/Wavin%20kloak%20br%C3%B8nd.jpg) ### Sewer Millions of people have no or limited access to sanitation facilities. Simultaneously, ageing and poorly designed sewer systems contaminate groundwater resources. We need to future-proof wastewater transport and make sanitation accessible for everyone. We will work towards these goals by building sewer systems with modern technology, preventing leakages, corrosion and clogging of sewer systems, and boosting renewal of sewer infrastructure. ](https://www.wavin.com/en-en/solutions/solutions-for-sewer) [![Wavin Waste Water Solutions](https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/Czechia/Blog-migrace/AS%20plus%20Wavin%20NL.jpg) ### Waste Water We need to future-proof wastewater transport and make sanitation accessible for everyone. Although drainage pipes may sound like a simple form of construction, there are many considerations behind a good and solid drainage system in buildings. We offer a range of market-leading and BIM-supported waste-water solutions incl. low-noise. With our wealth of knowledge and expertise, we can help you to create the optimal solution for your next project. ](https://www.wavin.com/en-en/solutions/solutions-for-waste-water) ## Wavin Newsletter Get the latest in industry insights, product trends and updates directly in your inbox. ![Wavin Global Newsletter](https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/Wavin_march2022/Images/ipad.png) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "goldenrabbit", "url" : "https://blog.wavin.com/en-sg/author/goldenrabbit" }, "dateModified" : "2023-08-10T07:08:56.102Z", "datePublished" : "2017-02-21T07:58:00.000Z", "headline" : "History of plumbing, pipes, and plumbers: Medieval times", "image" : [ "https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/medieval.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.wavin.com/en-sg/history-of-plumbing-pipes-and-plumbers-medieval-times-part-iii-of-a-series", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.wavin.com/hubfs/Denmark/DK%20-%20Logos/Wavin_Logo_Endorsement_Blue.png" }, "name" : "Wavin B.V." } } ```