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Issue 35 November
Captain Steve Howl
The Dolmen
Photograph by Marloes Visser
The Pirates
Photograph by Marloes Visser
The Wenches
Photograph by Marloes Visser
Features This Month 1: Sword & Fire Wild Dance
2: Competition
3: Making the Maciejowski-A follow up
4: Book Reviews-The Historical Novel Soc.
5: The Dolmen
6: Mediaeval Baebes Concert Details
7: Event Listings
8: My Amateur research on the history of
medieval food by Sara Seydek
Greetings All
Welcome to issue 35 of the Re-Enactor,
Congratulations to both Julie & Rachael
from the UK, for being the lucky winners of
last month‟s competitions. Your prizes will
be with you soon!
There is just one competition in this issue
but I do have a great book to give away-
Check out the competition page for more
details
The season is more or less over here in the
UK, although we do have various trade fairs
and Christmas markets to look forward to. I
am settling down to arranging all of my
events for 2012 and looking through my
equipment to see what needs repair or
replacement!
A colleague of mine from The Netherlands
has been in America for the last few weeks
and has managed to get along to a
renaissance fair and pick up various contact
details for me, so I will be looking to
increase the groups and traders listings!
As always, I am on the look-out for more
groups, traders, event details, stories,
articles and reports.
Please contact me at the normal email
address with details!
Editor.
Competitions:
All competitions are free to enter
Winners will be selected at random on the 24th
of
each month for the relevant competition.
Winners will be notified via email shortly after
the draw takes place.
No correspondence will be entered into.
The editor’s decision is final.
The views and opinions expressed in the articles in
this ezine are those of the individual authors
themselves and not those of the Editor
To receive a copy of this magazine just send
your email address to:
Sword and Fire Wild Dance
“Awesome event, TONS of fun, VERY intense fights - I enjoyed the hell out of it! A Huge thank you to all the
Scallagrims for being so accommodating, the food was utterly phenomenal - and all of you were such wonderful
people!”
By Aaron Joseph Bolarinho, AEMMA
In a charming place covered in field
flowers at the bank of Manitouwabing Lake
(about 30 km East of Parry Sound, Ontario,
Canada), a traveller can find Slutzak [Sloo‟tz/\k].
Each year, closer to the end of August, time stops
here somewhere around XII-XIII century and
opens its curtains to a Kievan Rus encampment.
Numerous pavilions and tabernacles are scattered
through the field, banners flap in the sky, the air
is filled with medieval music, laughter and excitement...
“Sword and Fire” is a unique week-end camping event
organized annually by Scallagrims Medieval Martial Arts
Centre, with the purpose of networking, sharing both combat
and living-history experience between medieval re-enacting
groups, performers, and artists, and promoting the study of
history, physical training, and learning foreign cultures. This
year Scallagrims were pleased to welcome guests from such
prominent groups and organizations as AEMMA, Torvik,
Hoplologia, Belarusian Ethnic Choir “Yavarovya Ludzi”, as
well as individual history-lovers.
“Sword and Fire” event‟s agenda included one-on-one Full Contact Live Steel
Tournament in two nominations – Sword and Sword-Shield, mass battles – bughurts, archery
tournament, axe and spear throwing competitions,
medieval costume contest, Saturday night Authentic Slav
Feast, games and other ethnic entertainment.
The Archery competition opened the first event day. Each archer, given 3 shots in
each round, had to collect a certain amount of points to move on. Dmitri Khandov, actually
shot the apple in his last round, which gave him the victory! Right away he named himself to
be a true Robin Hood and gave the apple to the starving crowd (joke). Erik Kowalski and
Greg Polevoy got the second and the third places accordingly.
We would like to say thank you to our friend Zack Djurica, who organized and the
judged the Archery tournament, and donated the first prizes – an authentic belt pouch and an
arrow. Zack possesses a deep knowledge of history of medieval archery – both Western and
Eastern European and is the top producer and distributor of the most accurate authentic bows,
arrows and quivers in Canada.
(Please visit www.nomadicartsarchery.com for more information)
The main feature of the “Sword and Fire”
event, the professional Full Contact Live Steel
Tournament, opened in the late afternoon. Although
it was planned to hold the Tournament in two
nominations – Sword and Sword-Shield – this year
due to the weather we were able to hold just Sword
nomination. Numerous participants applied. The
fighting was very intense and truly spectacular to
watch. Judging the tournament were Greg Polevoy,
the president of Scallagrims Medieval Martial Arts
Centre and two times international champion in full
contact live steel tournament Sword-Shield
nomination (2001 and 2007), Nikita Kizel, a senior
member of club Berg, Moscow. After four hours of
exhausting battle, the leaders finally emerged: first
place was shared by Egor Dourasov and Sash
Grybyuk; second place went to Kyryl Sochnev; third – to Dmitri Khandov. Champions were
awarded with custom-made “Sword and Fire” medals and certificates.
In the evening guests were greeted by Greg and Alexandra – Kievan Kniaz and
Kniazhna, and welcomed to the Feast grounds. Tables boasted authentic Slav and Rus dishes
and drinks, including traditional Krupnik (honey-based traditional home-made low-alcoholic
drink). Ethnic Slav music and songs, performed by
Belarusian Ethnic Choir “Yavarovya Ludzi”, filled the air. Games and dances around the
bonfire followed and were accompanied with the spectacular Fire show! The merriment
continued long after midnight under a starry mantle, guests enjoyed around-the-fire story-
telling and a quiet game of stones..
For more information, pictures and videos from the “Sword and Fire 2011” please visit
www.scallagrims.com
(c) SMMAC 2011.
Scallagrims Medieval Martial Arts
Centre 823 Manning Ave, Toronto Ontario, M6G
2W7
416-704-9448
www.scallagrims.com
Competition
I have a hardback copy of Rome, The
Emperor‟s Spy by Manda Scott to give
away this month.
AD 64: Sebastos Pantera is a newly returned
from five years‟ undercover work in Britannia.
Sick of spying, he plans to retire into peaceful
anonymity far from the schemes of his Emperor.
But no sooner has he set foot in Gaul than he is
summoned to Nero‟s presence, and ordered to
undertake one final mission.
Nero, Emperor of Rome, is passionate, erratic –
and utterly ruthless. He has found an ancient
prophecy predicting that Rome will burn.
Surrounded by courtiers who fear and hate him
in equal measure, he trusts no one to hunt down
the rebels plotting Rome‟s destruction – except
Pantera. But are they born too late?
Math is a boy charioteer who dreams of driving his team of horses in Rome. Loved by both
men, and lusted after by one, he soon becomes an unwilling pawn in a terrifying and deadly
game where no one is quite what they seem, and death stalks the charioteers – on the track
and off it.
From the author of the bestselling Boudica series, The Emperor’s Spy begins a compelling
new series of novels featuring Sebastos Pantera. Rich characterization and spine-tingling
adventure combine in a vividly realized novel set amid the bloodshed and chaos, heroism and
murderous betrayal of ancient Rome.
To be in win a chance of winning this book, visit the website and answer this
question
Website: http://www.mandascott.co.uk
Question: What did Manda Scott qualify as, from Glasgow University? Send your answer for this month‟s competitions along with your full postal
address to: [email protected] before November 24th
2011 to be in
with a chance of winning!
Making the Maciejowski-A follow up
Richard the Lionheart & Saracen Mercenaries: SOURCES
A reader has requested some clarification with regard to one of the claims made in the article
Making the Maciejowski, namely that Richard I of England had made use of Saracen
mercenaries in Normandy. Quite possibly this is due to that reader‟s familiarity with a
number of works, such as J.F. Verbruggen‟s The Art of Warfare in Western Europe during
the Middle Ages, which mention this fact without linking it to a source.
However, for Making the Maciejowski, we did manage to locate a source, who in turns bases
his observations on a number of primary sources. This source is Professor F.M. Powicke‟s
essay The Saracen Mercenaries of Richard I., which can be found in The Scottish Historical
Review.
Powicke mentions a number of sources, allocating generous reference to the input of a
number of other researchers into this subject, for the purposes of brevity I will skip these
names and focus on the primary sources.
Firstly, there is a passage referring to one hundred and twenty Saracens (Mamluks) from the
Holy Land who depart with or for Richard. This appeared in a 14th century manuscript
written by one of the continuators of William of Tyre. This particular manuscript contains
other references which make it a reliable source. It has been printed “as text D in the edition
of the so-called Histoire d'Heracles, published by the Academic des Inscriptions (Recueil des
Historiens des Croisades^ Historiens Occidentaux vol. ii. (1859) .
Where and when these mercenaries might have gone to, is revealed by the Norman
Exchequer roll. The roll of 1195 contains the following entries (ed. Stapleton, i. 221):
In liberationibus Saracenorum morantium apud Domfront per preceptum Regis, a die Lune
proxima post festum Sancti Michaelis usque de die lune post festum Sancti Egidii, c. li. ix. li.
vj. so. per breve Regis. . . . Gibelino Saresceno in solta pertae equi sui 1. so. per idem breve.
Two other entries on this page refer to the Saracens. Again, on the roll for the year 1198 (ii.
301):
Soubresaillant et Saracenis suis c. li. xxxv. li. de liberatione sua per breve Regis.
Powicke adds that some have put forth the argument that the reference to Saracens on these
rolls were actually references to Welsh mercenaries. However, tracing some of the names that
appear back to their origin we end up with names like Bait-Jibrint, the name referring to an
inhabitant of Jibrint.
As a further secondary supporting source Professor Powicke refers to Beha-ed-din‟s narrative
which demonstrates that Richard did enter meaningful communication with Saracen prisoners
and ambassadors after the relief of Jaffa in 1192 (Palestine Pilgrims' Text Society's
translation of Beha-ed-din, p. 371 seqq.) Moreover, references to the friendship between
Richard and Saladin‟s brother El-Adel Saphadin are common.
Powicke also refers to the persistent stories that Richard had Saracen Assassins in his armies,
mentioning that the 120 Mamluk mercenaries may well have provided the source for such
tales. We can presume that the language and culture barriers could have meant that the
Mamluk contingent in Richard‟s army kept to themselves and can almost hear the subsequent
campfire gossip about these mysterious warriors.
These revelations would also place into context the appearance of names such as Mahumet,
Bekmet and Peter the Saracen in various rolls from Angevin England, discussed in a number
of places such as Who was „Mahumet‟? Arabs in Angevin England by John S. Moore of the
University of Bristol.
I hope this clarifies matters somewhat.
Nils Visser.
PRINCE
Rory Clements, John Murray, 2011, £12.99, hb, 420pp, 9781848544253.
It is the year 1593, and England is a powder-keg of rumour and fear. Plague threatens
London, famine is rife and the aged queen (known to her enemies as the basilisk) is
surrounded by scheming courtiers. As the novel opens, London‟s Dutch community is
threatened by bomb attacks from those jealous of the Dutch immigrant population, and
Christopher Marlowe is mysteriously murdered in Deptford. Rory Clements‟ investigator,
John Shakespeare, older brother to Will, steps in to become entangled in a challenging
investigation, one which has a seismic effect on his personal life. He enters the opulent
chambers of Black Luce, the torture chambers of priest hunter Richard Topcliffe, the
elegant offices of his employer, Robert Cecil, country houses, a horse race, the torrid
streets of London and a terrifying desolate island situated in the mouth of the Thames. These are the physical
settings for Clements‟ Elizabethan thriller.
Prince is action packed, and its pages are filled with intricate layers of deception. The late Elizabethan world
is brilliantly portrayed with exciting narrative twists. As one character says, „Who is what they seem in this
world we inhabit, John?‟ Historical detail is expertly integrated into sophisticated plot strands to create a
seamless whole, inclusive of the investigation into the attacks on the Dutch community, Marlowe‟s death,
Spanish plots, witchcraft and James I, and a thrilling ship explosion on the Thames. John Shakespeare is a very
sympathetic hero. Clements‟ subsidiary characters are excellently portrayed, reaching beyond the page to haunt
the reader. As for the prince of the title, reader, read on and all will be revealed. Importantly, this novel is
extremely intelligent and exceptionally well written. I could not put it down until I reached its final startling
denouements. Prince is the third in a series involving John Shakespeare by this a Silver Dagger award-winning
writer.
-- Carol McGrath
THE HOMECOMING OF SAMUEL LAKE
Jenny Wingfield, Random House, 2011, $25.00, hb, 328pp, 9780385344081
Samuel Lake and his family are used to moving to a different town every year. Samuel
is a preacher, and though he is passionate about his calling, his opinions sometimes rub his
parishoners the wrong way. For the first time in his career, Samuel has not received an assignment, and he returns to his childhood home in Columbia County, Arkansas to live
with his wife Willadee‟s family. Their return coincides with the shocking suicide of
Willadee‟s father, the Moses family patriarch, leaving the family to regroup and determine
what to do next. Samuel‟s return sets off a series of events with unusual and unexpected
consequences for the Moses family and the community at large.
Despite the title, this novel is less about Samuel Lake than about the sprawling Moses
family that he married into. Wingfield‟s characters, both children and adults, are vivid and
believable. There‟s a darkness to this novel that is almost Faulknerian, a sinister
undercurrent lurking just below the surface. Wingfield captures the atmosphere of rural
Arkansas in the late 1950s – when she describes the Lake children playing in the summer heat, or Samuel‟s tent
revival, it‟s easy to feel that you are there. There is a villain who is spectacular in his villainy, and a lot of other
characters who inhabit a moral middle ground, neither wholly good nor wholly bad, but owners of their personal destiny.
It‟s rare that I read a novel in one sitting, but I did with this one. The Homecoming of Samuel Lake is a
marvelous debut from a strong new voice in American fiction. -- Nanette Donohue
For other reviews on other books why not visit:
http://www.historicalnovelsociety.org/
The Pirates Keep …… Songs and Tales of Adventures upon the
Deep Green Sea
A quiet Saturday evening on the quays of Poole: People strolling down the quayside, seagulls
gliding through the air, fishing boats entering the harbour after a laborious day at sea,
sailboats bobbing gently on the waves and, in the distance, the sounds of a horn. The smell of
the salty sea and tar cling to the ships and permeate the air. Suddenly the peacefulness is
brutally disturbed by the sound of drums and the shouts and curses of pirates parading their
plunder along the quayside. Waving flags, protected by their swords and guns and of
fearsome appearance, these pirates are on their way to their den for a night full of mayhem
and stories.
Boldly, they make their presence known along the quayside and in the old town. On their
way to their meeting place they are stopped twice by a rival gang of Pirates, but the battle that
follows is quickly over and the attackers that did not die in the battle, change sides and join
the victors as Pirates often do.
Parading the Plunder
On the way goes to the Pirates Keep, wenches join the parade and are promised a night full of
song, dance and drink and in return they whisper their promises in the ears of the rugged
pirates. Promises the pirates are all too ready to store firmly in their minds and not to be
forgotten amidst the fumes of too much cider! The chest is heavy but has to be brought along
as the plunder, as always, will be equally divided in the den. The Dolmen Pirate flag is carried
by a proud young pirate. A special honour as he fought bravely in battles to obtain it.
The Wenches
The King Charles Pub in Poole is the chosen den for this Keep. Cider and Beer are generously
poured, tankards are raised and toasts are made to their famous predecessors. Soon the pub is
crammed full of cutthroats and their doxies. With the drink, the stories and the boasts are
flowing, tales of plunder, of killing, of treasure and of victories on the deep blue seas. The
stories are accompanied by sounds of horror, grunts of approval, curses and bursts of laughter.
The smell of baccy, sweat, and beer becomes more dense and pervasive as the night wears on;
the sounds of the voices louder and louder. Culprits are put in the stocks and are tormented by
pouring their tankards of cider over their heads. The booming voices of the pirates fill the
Keep and the shrieking voices of the wenches colour the atmosphere. The tales of plunder and
adventure are alternated with songs to celebrate the glorious, but usually short and doomed
life of pirates…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opLWoS8_uuI
The Pirates; Taloch Jameson, Josh Elliott and Mark Vine of The Dolmen
Narration of Black Bart, one of the narrations used in the Pirates Keep;
1) Bartholemew Roberts (Black Bart) :
Pirate 1) There aint no other profession in the world like Piratin‟. I mean, look at us
…. Here we sit with the arse „angin‟ out of our trousers and barely a pot to piss in, but
still with the hope of one day, striking it rich. Of sooner or later, hittin‟ that big prize
that will see us in the lap o‟ luxury for the rest of our born days.
(mutters of agreement)
2)
Pirate 2) Tis true mates. Just look to old Bartholomew Roberts, Black Bart as he was
known, to see the truth in them words. He be a shinin‟ example to any man who kisses
the skull n bones with a view to betterin' 'imself.
He first put to sea as a young lad, but his ship was captured by pirates and he, knowin‟
what side his bread was buttered, opted to join „em.
He soon proved himself and in 1719 was elected their Captain sayin‟ "It is better to be
a commander than a common man, since I have dipped my hands in muddy water and
must be a pirate."
(cheers)
Tis said that only two years after bein‟ made Captain he had amassed a fortune of fifty
one million pounds and plundered near to 400 ships throughout Europe, Africa and the
Americas !
(gasps of amazement)
Yep, set himself up for life he did. But …. he never lived long enough to enjoy his
wealth.
(groans)
No. Twas off Africa that the Royal Navy caught up to „im in a place called Cape
Lopez and old Bart, tryin to give „em the slip, sailed before the wind to gain an
advantage. And it worked until he bumped into another navy ship comin‟ the other
way. So he turned again, hopin‟ to sail past the first ship and on into the open sea. But
the first ship, HMS Swallow realised what he was up to and opened fire with a blast of
grapeshot.
(groans)
And when the smoke was gone, there, layin‟ across a cannon was Black Bart, as dead
as mutton !
(groans and muttering)
Killed him outright they did … and his crew, loyal to the end, threw his corpse
overboard so the navy wouldn‟t have the satisfaction of paradin‟ it. And they sailed on
for near three hours after, trying to get away, until their topmast was blown off and all
were taken prisoner and put to judgement in what was the biggest pirate trial of the
day.
Fifty five were hanged by the neck and thirty seven more jailed. And 70 of their black
African pirate brothers, sold into filthy slavery.
(loud angry groans)
So, let‟s raise a tankard to Welsh Black Bart, the most successful Pirate that ever
sailed the foamin' seas. Here‟s to „im and may he be an example to us all.
(Loud cheers)
© Mark Vine
More Pirates; Captain Steve Howl, Jack Piper, Bryan Archer and Steve Piper
This is the concept of the Pirates Keep, invented and thought up by Taloch Jameson, the front
man, guitarist and songwriter of the Celtic Folk/Rock band The Dolmen. Together with the
Poole Buccaneers they create an evening full of songs and piratical mayhem. People attending
the Keep are requested to dress like Pirates and Wenches, and requested to act along; this
adds to the atmosphere of being in a Pirates Den in the Golden Age of Piracy.
Keri Pinney, Kayleigh Marchant and Taloch Jameson of The Dolmen
It is a unique concept as it combines the re-enactment with the music of the band. Mark Vine,
lyricist and historian researched pirate history and came up with quite a few authentic stories
that he converted into narrations. Between Taloch, Mark and Josh Elliot, songwriter and
guitarist of the band, the lyrics and songs of the CD were created. The narrations were
studied and practiced by the Poole Buccaneers and together with the band and with
participation of the audience they come up with live entertainment that rocks the boat ……
and the Keep, transporting the onlooker back to a time when a cutlass did your talking and
reputation was everything .
These narrations and songs can be found on the CD “Spirits of the Sea”. A double CD with,
on one side, the Pirate songs, all penned from within the band set-up and on the other side a
live recording of a Pirates Keep; songs combined with true tales of Piracy.
The CD gives an excellent example of what this all is about….. an escape into the world of
Piracy and adventure.
As one of the songs from the album goes …. and any Pirate would tell you ….
“I‟d drink with the devil to get what I want
Dance a jig to his tune
I‟d cut a throat with no second thought
And spit in the eye of the moon”
www.thedolmen.com
http://www.thedolmen.com/album1.html
The Dolmen; Keri Pinney, Kayleigh Marchant, Chris Jones, Taloch Jameson and Josh Elliott
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Artwork by Sem Vine
Photography Marloes Visser
“Melee” by Karen Sarkar (prints available to purchase-www.karensarkarart.com)
A New Forum for all
things Pirate!
Meet other Pirates
Event Information
Tall Tales
Traders
Pirate History
Check out the website for
more information!
www.forums.pyrates.co.uk
Archers Review
This is a website, run for and by archers with
a thirst for knowledge. Our extensive
collection of reviews is split in to a number
of sections to make it easy for you to find
what you are interested in
Steve Nicholson and Andy Gilfrin, are real
archers interested in the best archery
suppliers have to offer. In our search for the
very best bow, arrows and equipment we
have shot, used and worn pretty much
everything on offer.
We value feedback from users and suppliers
and are keen to hear from you if you wish to
contact us about anything on the website.
Website: www.archers-review.com
Email: [email protected]
The Hussar Christmas
Masquerade Ball The 15th Kings Light Dragoons (Hussars) are proud to host
and to be able to invite you to the Hussar Christmas Masquerade Ball. The Ball is to be held at Baronia Hall, 134 Boronia Rd, Boronia Victoria 3155, on the 26th November
2011. The evening will include Welcome Drinks, a Dance workshop, followed by Dinner and The Masquerade Ball.
The festivities will commence at 5pm with welcome drinks and a dance workshop; the bar will be open for those who
require some Dutch courage in order to approach the dance floor and dance workshop! The dances taught here will be
very simple and will be used throughout the evening‟s Ball. Dance cards will be handed to the ladies on arrival, so
gentlemen, there are no excuses! Guests will require a mask.
This year‟s event will take the form of a Masquerade Ball. The essential of the Masquerade is a disguise mask! After
the meal each guest is to don the masquerade disguise and to return to the Ball Room. The Masquerade is by nature a flirtatious event with the chance to dance with strangers!
Etiquette is that no names should be used, the masks should remain on at all times and that couples should not dance
together until after the Great Revealing! Several sets will be danced before the Great Revealing at which time masks will
be removed.
For more information:
www.15thhussars.com
The
Mortimer History Society
Spring Conference
May 12th
2012
The Earl Mortimer College
Leominster, Herefordshire.
Marc Morris will be hosting a lively
and interactive discussion on King
Edward I, Simon de Montfort &
Prince Llewelyn.
He will be joined by representatives
from historical groups and other
authors to discuss aspects of the three
men.
For more details
www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk
Event Information
November
5th & 6
th Timeline Fair, Old Cheese Factory, Homestead Rd, Berwick, Victoria, Australia.
www.timelinefair.org.au
11th
Las Vegas Veteran‟s Day Parade 2011, Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102684859803236
11th
-13th The Original Reenactors Market, The sports connexion, ryton on dunsmore, cv8 3fl
http://www.reenactorsmarket.co.uk/
19th
& 20th
Marché de l'Histoire de Pontoise, Novembre, FRANCE
www.historievivante.com
26th
& 27th
Ludlow Castle Medieval Christmas fair, Ludlow, Shropshire, UK
Craft fair, medieval traders, combat, have a go archery
http://www.ludlowcastle.com/
December
4th Bromsgrove Militaria, Medal & Arms Collectors Fair, at the Spadesbourne Suite, Council
House, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove, B60 1AA. 9.30am - 2.00pm. Admission £2.50
www.rzmilitaria.com/events.php e-mail [email protected]
10th
Anton Pieck Parade, Haarlem, The Netherlands
Website: http://www.antonpieckparade.nl/intro.html
17th
& 18th
Dickens Festival, Deventer, Netherlands
Website: http://www.dickensfestijn.nl/
2012
May 6
th & 7
th, Fortress Wales, Margam Copuntry Park, Port Talbot, Wales
http://www.webster.uk.net/HistoryAndCulture/Re-enactmentWW2SWB/FortressWalesShowInformation.aspx
12th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference, Earl Mortimer College, Leominster
www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk
26th
& 27th
les medievales de CHAUCONIN-NEUFMONTIERS
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=241449812568063
June
2nd
& 3rd
De Quaeye Werelt, Sterckshof, Belgium
http://www.delegendevzw.be/
9th Boerderij aan de Giessen, Grotewaard 38, Noordeloos, Netherlands
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=158081454283009¬if_t=event_invite
July
14th
& 15th
The Battle of Tewkesbury, Tewkesbury, UK
http://www.tewkesburymedievalfestival.org/
22nd
The Battle of Salamanca, 200th anniversary
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=183242878392002¬if_t=event_invite
September
8th & 9
th EMA weekend at Caldicot Castle, wales
15th
& 16th
The Battle of Mortimer‟s Cross, Leominster, Herefordshire, UK
www.mortimerscross.co.uk
MY AMATEUR RESEARCH ON THE HISTORY OF
MEDIEVAL FOOD
It all began in 2007 when I became the camp cook of a medieval re-enactment group I used to
belong to. I got an invitation to perform that occupation since food is what I like and also
because everyone in the group had to have a certain task. That meant that I now wanted to
understand what I was going to do and be as best as I could be. Quickly I understood that
medieval recipes weren't my taste, nor would they be of the rest of the group. So therefore, I
made up my own recipes (also thinking constantly about a balanced meal that would suit the
21st century diet) even though my main interest was the knowledge of food and nourishment
in that time period.
Thus, I started to do a slight research that soon became the most interesting thing I ever did
and has been one of mine main pastimes.
Although I don't have a degree in this particular area, nor in History, I consider myself a
person that knows what I'm talking about, having even been invited to speak and give
workshops on the subject by several entities, being one of them the town of Óbidos, in
Portugal.
Medieval food is, like Re-enactment, only a hobby of mine but a very serious one. I have
even posted all that I've read and researched on a website so it could be helpful to others:
http://ataleiga.blogspot.com/
My main focus is, of course, Iberian medieval food, and more so Portuguese, since Europe is
not only a very big place but also has an immense cultural diversity that directly influences
eating habits. That doesn't mean that I haven't researched beyond the Iberian Peninsula.
The interest in this little corner of Europe comes from the fact that we had several influences
from other cultures like the conquering Roman and Moorish and also because Spain and
Portugal had several trading post along their shore lines. What we ate here and the sort of
produce that were available to us were a complete different reality from the rest of Europe.
I'll give you one example: It is believed that the aubergine only became part of daily
nourishment in France in the 16th
to 17th century, while in the Iberian Peninsula it was already
known to have been part of the Moorish cuisine.
The 1st thing I have learned and that authors constantly underline is the fact that the
perception we today have of medieval food comes directly from preconceived ideas that
people had of this subject in the past, mostly from Victorian scholars. They described
medieval food as being a disgusting, greasy and rotten thing and that was the reason why
spices were so much appreciated back then: To disguise it's bad flavor. And, of course, they
brought back into the light the Roman notion that everything that would come after their
Empire would only be dark ages (hence the name of the 1st 500 years of the Middle Ages).
So, I was set to destroy my own “bigotry” on medieval nourishment. This meaning that food
during the Middle Ages didn't became an example of the end of civilization nor was the
exaggerated use of spices (a thing most loved by the medieval man) a proof of rottenness of
produce.
Many other interesting facts have emerged like on oranges, lemons, rice, beans, fishing,
noodles and so many more that have corrected my basic school acquired knowledge: The
Romans had an orange they called aurentea (golden), which could mean that it was more
orangy and perhaps even sweeter than the ones that, to our knowledge, have existed in the
Middle Ages; in Sicily grew a type of lemon during the 15th century like the ones we know
today and that were the reason why, still today, Brazilians call that type of lemon “Sicilian
lemon”; rice was grown in Portugal and some Mediterranean islands since the 14th century
and was used as make-up in the form of powder in England at that same time, if not before;
beans were used as a voting pebble in Roman forums and Senate and also as a substitute for
credit (I still have to find out what type/species those were); deep sea fishing was done by
Portuguese alongside the British isles making way for fishing treaties between the two
countries in the 12th and 13
th centuries; and tuna was caught in the Mediterranean since
before the Roman Empire; noodles where a common food item in the 14th and 15
th centuries
in Europe having been portrayed in several paintings of the time and added as recipes in
many books, during a time where supposedly, Marco Polo was still traveling the Far East.
Of course, having an inquisitive mind makes one look and come across much more
information and that is what happened to me.
Another of the most interesting things I've learned was the spirituality of food in the Middle
Ages. Food was given a certain religious context, since the Middle Ages were known for
having been that part of Human History were Christianity consolidated itself in Europe's
society. So, of course, religion and social condition were transferred into daily things, like
food.
Everything about the Holy Trilogy of food, the importance of pork and the separation of
classes through nourishment are an essential part to understand the subject in this particular
time period: Wine and bread represented Christ's blood and body (symbols and rituals that we
still can find in Catholic Church), while olive oil was a symbol of the Holy Ghost; any God
fearing Christian that didn't had access to clean drinkable water had wine as a good substitute
and this was drunken in alarming amounts in South European countries being most of the
wine cut down with water; as for bread, in average each person (whatever social class they
came from) ate around 3Kg of it a day and the lack of bread meant famine, even if other
produce where available; and having an olive oil lamp at the top of your bed would guarantee
your protection against demons.
Eating pork separated Christians from other religions (Muslims and Jews considered the pig a
dirty animal) in such a way that recently converted Jews would come up with gastronomical
ideas to pretend that they were eating pork or were know to hang a piece of bacon outside
their door to proof the community that they were obedient Christians.
And lastly, the further away anything grew from the ground the more coveted it was by
Nobility. Produce in the Middle Ages was divided into Heaven and Earth (the same name is
used for a salad made out of red onions and oranges), meaning that everything that grew
directly on the ground or grew from it was more proper for lower classes and fruit from trees
was reserved for Nobility and High Clergy.
Things, however, aren't as rigid as they may appear, specially when thinking of the
geographical and cultural factors that influenced people's nourishment so much in a time
before Capitalism. Things like beer, types of cereal, the use of butter and lard, etc.
When we talk about how the Catholic Church supported the use of wine and olive oil because
they were Christ's symbols, we cannot forget that these types of produce were rare in some
parts of Europe. Grapes were a delicacy still in the 15th century Poland, olive trees don't grow
in northern Europe and beer and distiled beverages ares still preferred today in a Europe away
from the Mediterranean. Also wheat only likes warm weather, making barley the preferred
cereal in other countries and butter would be used as grease in substitution of lard, lowering
the importance of the pig.
Of course, when we add the eating constrictions imposed by Church, like lent, fasting days,
fish on Friday's, and other “lean” days (around 200 days of the year were dedicated to these
food prohibitions!) to the fact that the general population didn't had access to as many
produce that certain social classes had, we get a very “nervous” society, ready to reevaluate
their religious belief system. Plus a growing middle class that wanted the same rights as the
Noble one, we get the Protestant Movement. It is my belief that food had a big role in this,
specially considering that the High Clergy wasn't the one that set the best example. Nothing
goes with an empty stomach!
I could go on but that I'll leave for you for another time, or just go and read my website.
Right now my interests in the Middle Ages and other time periods have spread a bit, but my
love for food hasn't stopped and I'll keep continuing to research and add more information on
my site (as I have to do soon, since I came across more interesting facts about rice).
My hope for the future is to access many of the written documents of that time and/or to meet
specialists on the matter. And what also would be an enormous accomplishment would be the
return of knowledge acquired during re-enactment to the class rooms; that we could put into
practice so many information that has never left the books and has never been tested.
Anyways, these are the simple dreams of this simple amateur food historian.
By: Sara Seydek