By 1300, pomanders, or perfumed balls filled with aromatic substances, became popular in medieval Europe as a means of protection against the plague and for personal fragrance. These small, portable items were often carried by individuals to mask unpleasant odors and ward off disease. The widespread use of pomanders highlights the intersection of health, hygiene, and social customs during a time when understanding of disease was limited.

The popularization of pomanders in medieval Europe around 1300 found its way into poetry as symbols of mortality and fleeting pleasure. Poets like Geoffrey Chaucer used these fragrant objects to explore themes of love, loss, and the passage of time, reflecting the human condition's transience and the sensory experiences that accompany it.