| Cats in the Middle Ages Sister Mairi Jean, admirer of cats |
If you require your persona to have a cat you should probably know a bit of feline history as well as what breeds are available to you. Quite a lot of breeds popular today are relatively new and others were only available in certain countries.
Medieval Europe
Cats were brought to Europe by the Romans in the small BCs and were tolerated as vermin catchers in the Mediterranean region. Cats never really caught on in Greece where weasels were used as rat catchers, but the Romans were quite fond of them. The early Christian church did not like cats, there were too many links with paganism, but ordinary folk admired them and their rat catching prowess. Despite official disapproval St Patrick and Pope Gregory the Great were known to have pet cats and St Agatha and St Gertrude are associated with cats. In the 13th century there was an up surging of paganism in the Rhinelands and serious persecution of cats began as a battle between the Christians and the pagans; this lasted 450 years and resulted in the deaths of thousands of cats. In the reigns of Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I of England cats were publicly burned as symbols of heresy, both Protestant and Catholic. Cats (mackerel, not black) were also suspected as being the familiars of witches.
Medieval Asia
The Muslim religion has never had anything against cats, even the Prophettried not to disturb sleeping cats. There are many favourable legends in Asia,especially in Thailand and surrounding areas. When cats were introduced to Japanthey were pampered like lapdogs, encouraging vast growth in the rodentpopulations. Many of the popular breeds come from Asia, although domesticationoccurred there long after it did in Africa.
Breeds of Cats available in the Middle Ages
Common
European shorthairs
These existed all over Europe and were mostly tabby, indicating their close
relationship to the European wild cat. Solid colours were available if you looked
really hard. Tabbies occur as tiger-striped (mackerel), swirly (classic) and spotted.
Less Common
Abyssinians
These are related to the African wildcat and are a very old breed, but were not
widespread in Europe until modern times.
Angoras
This is an ancient Turkish longhair. It has fallen out of popularity in modern
times in favour of the Persian, but was the first longhair in Europe, probably
brought in by the Crusaders. It was very popular until the late Middle ages. In
Turkey a true Angora must have odd eyes.
Very Rare
Egyptian Mau
This is probably the oldest breed in the world, but Egypt discouraged export of
them and as such you would have to have contacts in all the right places to get
your hands on one. Very elegant breed; Mau means cat.
Available in Specific Locations
Siamese
Very old breed in Thailand, but were not exported to Europe until modern times.
Persians
Probably introduced to Europe in about 1550 through Italy and then France. Only
a few colours were in existence then, i.e. blue, grey and tabby.
Birman
There is controversy about this breed. It could be an old South-East Asian breed,or a modern French breed. There's a long involved story about a goddess makingthem look the way they do because they protected her temple from Raiders, but alot of people think that it is all untrue and that the breed is modern. You choose.
Chartreux
This is referred to as early as 1558 and is a French breed. It was apparentlybred by Carthusian monks.
Manx
Legends abound about this ancient breed. They were found solely on the Isle of
Man during the Middle ages and are subject to spinal problems and many die young.
Japanese Bobtail
Only found in Japan, and only from about 1000 AD.
So your 14th century Irish monk could not possibly have had a Birmese kitten,nor could a 7th century Italian dignitary possibly have had a Japanese Bobtail.A trader in London would have had a hard time getting hold of an Abyssinian, buthis Italian counterpart could have arranged it. A queen in central Europe mighthave been able to get an Egyptian Mau, but her ladies in waiting would have tosettle for a European Shorthair.
I don't think anyone in the Shire has actually gone as far as to plan pets, but should you wish to do so, nothing now stands in your way.
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