Medieval Misconceptions: FEASTS, DINING, ETIQUETTE and FOOD, filmed at the Abbey Medieval Festival
Shadiversity・17 minutes read
The Abbey Medieval Festival includes an authentic medieval feast where guests eat with their fingers and etiquette is crucial, with blessings in Latin marking the start and end of the meal. The event showcases historical dining practices, including washing hands with scented water, serving food on bread trenchers, and avoiding non-medieval foods like potatoes and tomatoes.
Insights
- Medieval dining customs were rich in symbolism and ceremonial practices, emphasizing cleanliness, social hierarchy, and generosity towards the less fortunate.
- The Abbey Medieval Festival not only showcases authentic medieval cuisine but also provides educational insights into historical dining etiquette, entertainment, and the cultural significance of feasting in medieval society.
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Recent questions
What were trenchers used for in medieval dining?
Soaked up juices, not eaten.
What was the purpose of blessings in Latin before and after a medieval feast?
Signified start and end of feast.
Who typically sat at the high table during a medieval feast?
Lord, Lady, politicians, sponsors.
What were some common foods served at a medieval feast?
Lamb, beef, pork, rabbit, venison.
What beverages were typically served at a medieval feast?
Ciders, mead, mulled wine with spices.
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Summary
00:00
Medieval Feast: Etiquette, Entertainment, and Menu
- The Abbey Museum hosts an authentic medieval feast as part of the Abbey Medieval Festival, a prestigious event.
- Medieval dining lacked forks, with spoons and fingers used for eating.
- Etiquette included not scratching one's face while eating and keeping the little finger clean.
- Guests had their hands washed with scented water before dining, a ceremonial and historical practice.
- Food was served on trenchers made of bread to absorb juices, not to be eaten.
- Large feasts were a form of entertainment in medieval times, featuring music, dancing, fire displays, and morality plays.
- Blessings in Latin were said before and after the meal, signifying the start and end of the feast.
- The high table was reserved for the Lord and Lady of the feast, local politicians, and sponsors.
- Banquets were held to display wealth and generosity, with leftovers given to the poor.
- The menu for the feast included lamb shanks, beef, pork, rabbit, and venison, avoiding non-medieval foods like potatoes and tomatoes.
16:48
Medieval event showcases diverse beverages and cuisine.
- The event featured a variety of beverages including ciders, mead, and mulled wine with spices like cinnamon and cloves, offering guests a complimentary glass of the warm mulled wine.
- Participants were advised on medieval dining etiquette, such as using sleeves instead of handkerchiefs if eyes or nose start to run from spicy food, highlighting the flavorful and diverse nature of medieval cuisine due to extensive spice trade routes.
