Medieval Feasts

A detailed Summary of Medieval Feasts

When I say the word "medieval", what is the first thing that comes to mind? No, I am not talking about anything that has to do with the devil. I am referring to the time period long ago. You've heard of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table right? In the middle ages, people came together and had great feasts. The food in the Middle Ages was very different from the food today. Their dinnerware was quite different too. They also had different ways of being entertained at these great social events. Hop in to that time machine because we are about to go into the past to experience a feast of royal proportions.

Feasts were always held in the Great Hall in a king's or lord's castle or manor and usually began around eleven in the morning. The tables were full of color and decoration. Beautiful tapestries hung from the walls. The Great Hall at one end had a raised platform (like a stage) called a "dais". On the dais there would be a table where the lord, his family, and the most important guests sat. All the other tables were set perpendicular to the dais. Musicians (called minstrels) sat in a gallery ( a type of balcony facing the Great Hall) and played a fanfare as the food was brought in by an army of servant.

At least three main courses were served at a feast. Guests could choose from a variety of dishes, including sweet ones, for every course. Each different kind of meat or fish was served with its own special sauce. Some of the meats eaten at feasts are wild boar, chicken, herons, venison, rabbit, porpoise, trout, and many others. Along with main courses, there was plenty of dessert too. This includes pudding, fieldfare pie, sotelte, and bread and dried fruit. But what would they drink you may ask? The best wines were imported from France and Italy. They also drank ale.

e three servants that are the most important of all: the carver, cupbearer, and sewers. The carver cut up the different meats while the cupbearer carried the cup to anyone who wanted a drink. Only the lord had his own cup, everyone else shared. Sewers served the food and made sure everyone was near a "trencher," a plate made of stale bread from which everyone ate their food. The food was divided into portions called "messes" and shared among several people. Very important people had their own portions.

Another type of entertainer is a fool or a jester. A jester wore a cap with bells and a costume, half of one color and half of another. During meals he told jokes to amuse the company, and his antics and capers were a source of much merriment. The court jester was often the friend and confidant of the lord himself. The jester held a stick with something that looks like a balloon attached to it, which made funny noises. If a jester didn't make the people laugh, it was off with his head. This went for all other entertainers too.

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Approximate Word count = 1099
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History