I believe it was either Elizabeth I or Queen Victoria.
2006-11-25 21:22:16 · 4 answers · asked by Steve D 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Royalty
It was neither. Elizabeth I used to bath once a month and was considered at the time to be obsessed with cleanliness. During winter months courtiers may have been reluctant to take a bath because remember they didn't have central heating as we do now. Servants would have had to heat the water down in the kitchens, then climb the stairs to the master's/mistress's chamber (room) and slowly fill the bath. They would also have to have a good fire blazing to warm the room, otherwise master/mistress would emerge from a nice hot bath to a bitterly cold room. It was costly to have servants and fuel for fire, not to mention access to clean water.
My degree is in medieval and early modern English history and I have NEVER heard of any royal making an announcement that she would bath once a year, however Elizabeth I was known for bathing once a month and being obsessed with cleanliness. It was also said of her at the time that she "could not bear ill smells" so that may also have been connected with it.
2006-11-26 06:04:44 · answer #1 · answered by Specsy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Elizabeth the first, Queen Victoria was very hygienic, it was during her reign that indoor plumbing became more of the norm.
2006-11-26 02:06:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Elizabeth I
2006-11-25 21:34:09 · answer #3 · answered by asso 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I couldn't imagine not taking a bath everyday!
2006-11-26 03:50:57 · answer #4 · answered by traci s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋