Food in Medieval Times

(Hardback)

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Description

New light is shed on everyday life in the Middle Ages in Britain and continental Europe through this unique survey of its food culture. Readers will learn about the common foodstuffs available, how the people cooked, ate, and drank, what the regional cuisines were like, how the different classes entertained and celebrated, and what dietary restrictions they followed for health and religious reasons. Food was a status symbol, and sumptuary laws defined what a person of a certain class could eat - the ingredients and preparation of a dish and how it was eaten depended on a person's status, although more information is available on the upper classes than on the masses The book draws on a variety of period sources, including literature, account books, cookbooks, religious texts, archaeology, and art. Fascinating information is provided on topics such as imitation food, kitchen humour, and medical ideas. Many period recipes and quotations flesh out the narrative.

Reviews

[O]ffers excellent historical overviews and is a highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Culinary History collections.-MBR Internet Bookwatch
Fascinating information on available foodstuffs, their uses, and their cookery is contained in this engaging, readable book. Expressions and cultural traditions in use today that are lost in food history are brought to life here. The work is based on careful review of a number of original texts and sources, which include literature, account books, cookbooks, religious texts, archaeology, and art. The quotes from literature and examples from art, archaeology, and religion give life to the writing. This book is heartily recommended as informative, interesting reading. Highly recommended. All levels.-Choice
"Offers excellent historical overviews and is a highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Culinary History collections."-MBR Internet Bookwatch
"[O]ffers excellent historical overviews and is a highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Culinary History collections."-MBR Internet Bookwatch
"Fascinating information on available foodstuffs, their uses, and their cookery is contained in this engaging, readable book. Expressions and cultural traditions in use today that are lost in food history are brought to life here. The work is based on careful review of a number of original texts and sources, which include literature, account books, cookbooks, religious texts, archaeology, and art. The quotes from literature and examples from art, archaeology, and religion give life to the writing. This book is heartily recommended as informative, interesting reading. Highly recommended. All levels."-Choice

Author Bio

MELITTA WEISS ADAMSON is Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures at the University of Western Ontario.