When we think about the Middle Ages, the images that often come to mind are knights in shining armor, towering castles, bustling market squares, and the intricate rituals of medieval society. However, the everyday human body—and especially the buttocks—played its own peculiar role in medieval life, culture, medicine, law, and humor. Contrary to modern sensibilities, medieval people were not shy about addressing or using the buttocks in various ways, sometimes serious and sometimes downright bizarre.

Here are 9 things you could do with the buttocks in the Middle Ages:

 Use Them as a Tool for Punishment: The "Bum-Ban" or Flogging

Corporal punishment was common in medieval society, and the buttocks were often the prime target. Flogging or whipping was a widespread form of discipline, both in the judicial system and within military or religious orders. The buttocks were favored because they were fleshy and could absorb pain without causing permanent damage, serving as a "safe" place for punishment.

 Expose Them in Public as a Gesture of Humiliation or Protest

"Moons" or "mooning" — the act of baring one’s buttocks — was a recognized form of insult or protest in medieval Europe. It was a rude, rebellious gesture directed at enemies or authority figures. Historical records show instances where soldiers or townsfolk would moon their foes as a way to mock or humiliate them. shutdown123