culture
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Mediaeval people cherished chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) for spring cleansing, digestion, and boosting the mood, symbolising new life with its flavour, similar to anise. It was used in soups, particularly Lenten ones, teas, and as a digestive aid, sometimes as a magical form of protection . It was called ‘myrrhis’ because it smelled similar to myrrh,…
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Later this year the Bayeux Tapestry will be coming to London on loan from France for the first time in almost a millennium. It is believed to have been fashioned by English embroiderers (it’s not really a Tapestry, but an Embroidery) possibly in Canterbury. It was probably commissioned by Archbishop Odo, the brother of William…
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Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) was an important mediaeval herb. It is a bushy perennial with feathery, bright green leaves and small, daisy-like white flowers with yellow centres, similar to chamomile but its flowers are flat-topped. Its name, feverfew, or ‘fever reducer’ derives from the Latin febrifugia, meaning ‘to put fever to flight’. It was used, as…
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“….At Bosworth in 1485, Richard III’s fall from his horse marked the collapse of his kingship….” Hmm, that’s debatable. According to the Tudorised so-called “history ” that’s dominated relentlessly ever since 1485 , Richard’s downfall began from the moment he stole his elder nephew’s throne, murdered both nephews, executed Hastings and others without trial, etc.…
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Britain is full of old Christmas traditions, some that have continued through the centuries and some that (sadly) have faded away. But others have been revived, among them the medieval Crying Christmas of Lincoln, which has the City of Lincoln Waites to thank for its reappearance. See here https://tinyurl.com/4bszwaxc. Lest you jump to conclusions about…
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With permission of Kim Harding A last-minute change of speaker meant the frosty weather chimed perfectly with Kim Harding’s talk on ‘Medieval Winter’ on Monday 18th November 2025. Our centrally-heated homes and internet-driven prep for Xmas can’t compare to the hardships endured by medieval folk: a poor harvest, limited food storage and bitter cold meant…
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A receipt for the payment of 400 long pikes dated 16th December 1487 is held in an archive in Lille. These pikes were to be distributed to pikemen under the command of a knight from Germany called Martin Schwartz to serve the nephew of Margaret of Burgundy, son of Edward IV at the battle of…
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Do you feel tired and often need a snooze? Perhaps your sleeping habits are out of sync with nature. Previously, people slept differently from the way we do now. The idea of eight hours sleep in one go was unheard of. In the Middle Ages, the night was divided into two parts: the first sleep…
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All the best Christmas feasts included a Greyt Pye. It could contain many different meats, so you can choose for yourself which you include. Serves 6-8 Ingredients Line a 9in/23cm pie dish with just over half the pastry and brush the inside with the egg white. Parboil the meat gently in salted water for 10-15…
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Lovage (Levisticum officinale), a tall, leafy perennial with a strong scent, was popular in mediaeval times, used for medicinal purposes, in cooking and famously, in love potions because of its name, from Middle English ‘love-ache’, where ‘ache’ meant parsley. Its use dates back to the 12th century. Medicinal Uses- Medieval people used all the parts…
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