Forget black cats and broken mirrors—those superstitions came centuries later. Here's what people in Nicola de la Haye's time actually feared on an unlucky day.

The Evil Eye Was Everywhere

In 12th-century England, an envious glance could literally kill you. People believed that jealous or malicious looks could cause illness, spoil crops, curdle milk, or even bring death. The wealthy were particularly vulnerable—their success made them targets for envious stares. Protective charms, prayers, and amulets were essential accessories, not fashion statements.