Chastity belts were almost certainly not worn in the Middle Ages.
Nearly all museum examples were made in the 18th–19th centuries, and medieval mentions are jokes or allegories; the British Museum took its own off display.
More amazing facts
- 1393 King Charles VI of France believed he was made of glass.
- 1397 · 1889 · 1955 The Golden Pavilion that tourists see in Kyoto is younger than the Eiffel Tower.
- 1405 · 1498 Zheng He's first fleet sailed in 1405, 93 years before Vasco da Gama reached India.
- 1405 · 1429 Europe's first woman to make a living as a writer praised Joan of Arc while Joan was still alive.
- 1405 · 1941 Tamerlane's tomb was opened on 20 June 1941, two days before Germany invaded the USSR.
- 1405 Timur died marching on China in 1405 — the very year China sent its great fleet to sea. The conqueror died at Otrar in February; that summer Zheng He's ships set out on their first voyage.