An Early Bath

For centuries, bathing was done in the buff. In the Middle Ages, when indoor bathhouses became popular, clothes weren’t required.

Germany finally decided to call a halt to nude nethers in 1548, when they passed a law that meant forgetting your loincloth resulted in a fine.

Swimming fell from grace during this time – it was thought to spread disease, and there was also the small matter of sea monsters and mermaids to worry about.