medieval food
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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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This is a new research paper about the popular perceptions of Richard III, by Olga Prokopis. It’s titled Un-disabling the King: Richard III and the ‘New Evidence’. It investigates the popular perceptions about him, the reasons for them and whether they are true, going on to address the new, equally false narratives, but the title…
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I happened upon the following post on Facebook, which might surprise some Americans, who believe that apple pie was invented there. ‘As American as apple pie’, right? Wrong! In 1381 England, the first documented apple pie recipe was crafted without a single spoonful of sugar. Instead, this medieval masterpiece combined fresh apples, figs, raisins, and…
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Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) was commonly used in medieval times, but has fallen out of popularity now. Here are some fascinating facts about hyssop: Medicinal UsesRespiratory issues: Hyssop was used to treat coughs, colds, and respiratory problems, such as bronchitis and asthma.Digestive aid: The herb was used to soothe digestive issues, like indigestion and bloating.Wound healing:…
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You may have often heard that people in medieval times were very dirty and unhygienic, with bad teeth. However, this has now been debunked as a myth and this article explains some of the practices they used to keep clean. They mention that teeth were cleaned, but not with a brush. They either used a…
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These are probably the first things we think of when we picture mediaeval feasts, although both of them were thought of as tough and difficut to digest. However most great banquets had either one or the other of these, served in full plumage, because they made such an impressive spectacle. They were often served at…
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