The Culture of Food in England 1200–1500
C. M. Woolgar
Abstract
This book shows that food in late-medieval England was far more complex, varied, and more culturally significant than we imagine today. Drawing on a vast range of sources, the book charts how emerging technologies as well as an influx of new flavours and trends from abroad had an impact on eating habits across the social spectrum. The book begins with a background of the concept of food in medieval England, and moves through discussions on food in the countryside, the importance of drinks and drinking to late medieval society, the importance of bread, the role of sauces and spices, gardens, fo ... More
This book shows that food in late-medieval England was far more complex, varied, and more culturally significant than we imagine today. Drawing on a vast range of sources, the book charts how emerging technologies as well as an influx of new flavours and trends from abroad had an impact on eating habits across the social spectrum. The book begins with a background of the concept of food in medieval England, and moves through discussions on food in the countryside, the importance of drinks and drinking to late medieval society, the importance of bread, the role of sauces and spices, gardens, food and drink at civic occasions, food of monks and nuns, cooks and kitchens, and hunger and famine. From the pauper's bowl to elite tables, from early fad diets to the perceived moral superiority of certain foods, and from regional folk remedies to luxuries such as lampreys, the book illuminates desire, necessity, daily rituals, and pleasure across four centuries.
Keywords:
food,
late-medieval England,
emerging technology,
flavours,
eating habits,
paupers,
elites,
fad diets,
daily rituals
Bibliographic Information
Print publication date: 2016 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780300181913 |
Published to Yale Scholarship Online: September 2016 |
DOI:10.12987/yale/9780300181913.001.0001 |