Fact or fiction, this makes a good read. It's amazing that the human race has managed to survive this long with its bad record of hygiene. Or maybe today we have the bad record. I'm sure the folks of the 1500's were a tougher breed than we are today in our urban, "civilized" societies.

I've heard that Napoleon sent word to Josephine: Home in 3 days. Don't bathe."

I guess not all the smells were bad.

Thanks Margo and the rest of you for sharing.