Hi, Jim —

The Church never discouraged bathing, officially. Members of the Church, did, however, take on some of the values of their own culture.

After the Fall of the Roman Empire, with the consequent lost of technology and conveniences (such as plumbing and bathhouses), the values and practices of the so-called barbarians began to predominate (since they conquered).

In some peoples, bathing was considered frivolous or unnecessary, whereas wealthy Romans bathed every day.

Mary Ann