medieval food
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Vervain (Verbena officinalis) is another fascinating medieval herb with a rich history! Here are some interesting facts about vervain: Magical and Superstitious Uses Sacred herb: Vervain was considered a sacred herb in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and was associated with the gods. Protection and purification: The herb was believed to offer protection against evil…
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In medieval times, dittany, now more commonly known as dittander, Lepidium latifolium, a perennial herb native to parts of Britain, was used for hot relishes. It suffered a culinary decline by 1650 when horseradish took its place. The spiciness of both its leaves and root are suggested in its common name, poor man’s pepper. It…
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If, like me, you like to browse around websites about life in the past, you might be interested in this link, https://tinyurl.com/2tk5meck, which takes you to a website called Old & Interesting. You’ll soon realise that not everything in the site dates back to the medieval period, but it’s very interesting all the same. I…
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On Saturday afternoon we were treated to a fantastically interesting talk by Professor Caroline Wilkinson, she who had created the reconstruction of Richard’s head. It was the Isolde Wigram Memorial Lecture and she touched on the reconstruction but concentrated on the A Voice for Richard project, which she participated in. She described all the detailed…
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Rue (Ruta graveolens) is another fascinating medieval herb. Here are some interesting facts about it: Medicinal Uses Digestive aid: Rue was used to treat digestive issues, such as indigestion, bloating, and gas. Menstrual relief: The herb was used to ease menstrual cramps, bloating, and other symptoms associated with PMS. Anti-inflammatory: Rue’s anti-inflammatory properties made it…
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Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a fascinating herb with a rich history. It is a hardy perennial herb with fern-like leaves and bright yellow flowers, growing up to three feet tall. It prefers moist soil and full sun to partial shade and is commonly found growing in rough ground, on field boundaries. Tansy contains compounds such…
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Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) is a fascinating herb. It is a shrubby, perennial herb that can grow quite tall, up to 3-4 feet. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It’s fairly low-maintenance but may need pruning to ensure it stays bushy and healthy. In mediaeval times: Qualities: Modern Use: Mediaeval Folklore: Culinary uses: Precautions:
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Winter savory (Satureja montana) was used more in medieval times than today. It grows to between 10 and 40 cm (4 and 16 in) tall. The leathery, dark green leaves are opposite, oval-lanceolate or needle-like, 1–2 cm long and 5 mm broad. The flowers appear in summer, between July and October, and range from pale lavender or pink to…
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Here is the second in a proposed series of mediaeval recipes. Figs in a coffin means a pastry filled with figs! Ingredients Royal pastry: 4 cups (500g) of pastry flour 1 teaspoon (3g) of salt 1 1/2 cups (345g) of butter 4 egg yolks, beaten 2-4 tablespoons (30-60 ml) of cold water Fig Filling: 8…
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Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) is a fascinating and infamous medieval herb! You may have heard of it through Harry Potter these days, but it is real and had some strange tales attached to it. Here are some interesting facts about mandrake: Magical and Superstitious Uses Protection and good fortune: Mandrake was believed to offer protection and…
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