medieval drinking habits!

I've been thinking (oh no I hear you groan) but can someone explain to me how, with
those that could afford it drinking wine all day, & the poor ale, how it was everybody wasnt
inebriated all day, every day. Now I know nothing at all about alcohol (I hate the taste
yuk)but I would have thought that even if the women and children were drinking a weaker
type of wine/ale, if that was all you got to drink all day how it didnt have some effect on
you. Clearly it didnt (casting aside Clarence) because nothing would have ever got done
(cathedrals built, dinners cooked etc.,) I can't think of any other beverages available at
that time - other than water that is. Say if you lived in a city like York or London would the
water have been safe to drink?
best wishes Eileen

Paul:
. . . and let's not forget what Shakespeare said "alcohol is a
great provoker, it provoketh the desire but takes away the performance".

Ann:
True also of singing ....

L.P.H.,

Ann
axsc@...
http://mzbworks.home.att.net/ann.htm

"She would fall into a nest of banshees, and manage them all into a
vegetarian diet." THE ALTON GIFT, p 540
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