Sunday, September 11, 2016

Medieval English Meals

There was a distinct difference between what the nobles ate and the commoners. Sugar and spice were imported and therefore expensive so the commoners ate relatively plain food. There was a tradition of three meals but the commoners ate less at each meal. Interestingly, the Crusades impacted English meals in a positive way. Modern cooking shows emphasize presentation and this was transported to England in the Medieval Age during the Crusades. There was a focus on the look of food and unique preparation. There was also a focus on exotic flavors.

Royalty would eat their food from silver dishes while the commoners would eat from wooden dishes. Spoons were not in great use. Soups were drunk from the bowls.

Breakfast was from 6-7.
Dinner was from 12-2.
Supper was from 6-7.

The upper classes mostly ate protein (deer, boar, rabbit) and few vegetables such as onions and garlic. The lower classes ate bread, beef, pork and lamb. They also ate rye and barley bread.


Fasting regularly occurred and meat was often banned. The idea that one should give up a food item during lent comes from the medieval time. Lent occurs during a seasonal time where there is not plenty and making the abstaining from food a spiritual event was a brilliant spin by the Church. When the abstaining is broken coincides with harvest and plenty. Additionally, the idea that meat should be forsaken is in align with a culture where meat was scarce if you were a commoner. 

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