Cats-n-the-MA-art - 10/17/00
"Cats in the Middle Ages" by Sister Mairi Jean.
NOTE: See also the files: cats-msg, dogs-msg, ferrets-msg, mice-msg,
rabbits-msg, pets-msg, p-animals-bib, Pest-Control-art, p-thts-animls-msg.
************************************************************************
NOTICE -
This article was submitted to me by the author for inclusion in this set
of files, called Stefan's Florilegium.
These files are available on the Internet at:
Copyright to the contents of this file remains with the author.
While the author will likely give permission for this work to be
reprinted in SCA type publications, please check with the author first
or check for any permissions granted at the end of this file.
Thank you,
Mark S. Harris
AKA: Stefan li Rous
stefan at florilegium.org
************************************************************************
Originally published in February, AS 33 in "Storm Tidings", the newsletter for the Shire of Adamastor in Cape Town, South Africa.
(http://users.iafrica.com/m/me/melisant/stidings.htm)
Cats in the Middle Ages
by Sister Mairi Jean, admirer of cats
If you require your persona to have a cat you should probably know a bit of
feline history as well as what breeds are available to you. Quite a lot of
breeds popular today are relatively new and others were only available in
certain countries.
Medieval Europe -
Cats were brought to Europe by the Romans in the small BCs and were
tolerated as vermin catchers in the Mediterranean region. Cats never really
caught on in Greece where weasels were used as rat catchers, but the Romans
were quite fond of them. The early Christian church did not like cats,
there were too many links with paganism, but ordinary folk admired them and
their rat catching prowess. Despite official disapproval, St Patrick and
Pope Gregory the Great were known to have pet cats and St Agatha and St
Gertrude are associated with cats. In the 13th century there was an up
surging of paganism in the Rhinelands and serious persecution of cats began
as a battle between the Christians and the pagans; this lasted 450 years and
resulted in the deaths of thousands of cats, In the reigns of Mary Tudor
and Elizabeth I of England cats were publicly burned as symbols of heresy,
both Protestant and Catholic. Cats (mackerel, not black) were also
suspected as being the familiars of witches.
Medieval Asia -
The Muslim religion has never had anything against cats, even the Prophet
tried not to disturb sleeping cats. There are many favourable legends in
Asia, especially in Thailand and surrounding areas. When cats were
introduced to Japan they were pampered like lapdogs, encouraging vast
growth in the rodent populations. Many of the popular breeds come from
Asia, although domestication occurred there long after it did in Africa.
Breeds of cats available in the Middle ages
Common -
European shorthairs
These existed all over Europe and were mostly tabby, indicating their close
relationship to the European wild cat. Solid colours were available if you
looked really hard. Tabbies occur as tiger-striped (mackerel), swirly
(classic) and spotted.
Less Common -
Abyssinians
These are related to the African wildcat and are a very old breed, but were
not widespread in Europe until modern times.
Angoras
This is an ancient Turkish longhair. It has fallen out of popularity in
modern times in favour of the Persian, but was the first longhair in
Europe, probably brought in by the Crusaders. It was very popular until the
late Middle ages. In Turkey a true Angora must have odd eyes.
Very Rare -
Egyptian Mau
This is probably the oldest breed in the world, but Egypt discouraged
export of them and as such you would have to have contacts in all the right
places to get your hands on one. Very elegant breed; Mau means cat.
Available in Specific Locations -
Siamese
Very old breed in Thailand, but were not exported to Europe until modern
times.
Persians
Probably introduced to Europe in about 1550 through Italy
and then France. Only a few colours were in existence then, i.e. blue, grey
and tabby
Birman
There is controversy about this breed. It could be an old South-East Asian
breed, or a modern French breed. There's a long involved story about a
goddess making them look the way they do because they protected her temple
from Raiders, but a lot of people think that it is all untrue and that the
breed is modern. You choose.
Chartreux
This is referred to as early as 1558 and is a French breed. It was
apparently bred by Carthusian monks.
Manx
Legends abound about this ancient breed. They were found solely on the Isle
of Man during the Middle Ages and are subject to spinal problems and many
die young.
Japanese Bobtail
Only found in Japan, and only from about 1000 AD.
So your 14th century Irish monk could not possibly have had a Birmese
kitten, nor could a 7th century Italian dignitary possibly have had a
Japanese Bobtail. A trader in London would have had a hard time getting
hold of an Abyssinian, but his Italian counterpart could have arranged it.
A queen in central Europe might have been able to get an Egyptian Mau, but
her ladies in waiting would have to settle for a European Shorthair.
I don't think anyone in the Shire has actually gone as far as to plan pets,
but should you wish to do so, nothing now stands in your way.
Sister Mairi Jean
Shire of Adamastor
Kingdom of Drachenwald.
------
Copyright 1999 by Tracy Craig. <tracy at maths.uct.ac.za>. Permission is granted for republication in SCA-related publications, provided the author is credited and receives a copy.
If this article is reprinted in a publication, I would appreciate a notice in
the publication that you found this article in the Florilegium. I would also
appreciate an email to myself, so that I can track which articles are being
reprinted. Thanks. -Stefan.
<the end>