The streets of London and other cities were rarely more than twelve or
fifteen feet wide. They were neither paved nor lighted. Pools of
stagnant water and heaps of refuse abounded. There was no sewage.
The only scavengers were the crows. The houses were of timber and
plaster, with projecting stories, and destructive fires were common.
The chief amusements were hunting and hawking, contests at archery,
and tournaments. Plays were acted by amateur companies on stages on
wheels, which could be moved from street to street.
The subjects continued to be drawn in large measure from the Bible and
from legends of the saints. They served to instruct men in Scripture
history, in an age when few could read. The instruction was not,
however, always taken to heart, as profane swearing was so common that
an Englishman was called on the Continent by his favorite oath, which
the French regarded as a sort of national name before that of "John
Bull" came into use.