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Event Description
What you ate and drank in 1400 was a powerful indicator of social class. From the feasting of the nobility to the basic diet of the peasantry, procuring, cooking and serving food reflected exactly who you were, yet there are many surprises for us today; contrary to the modern image of a noisy banquet with buxom wenches throwing bones to the dogs, the diet of the rich was sophisticated and their etiquette strict, while that of the working family could be nutritious and wholesome. Most people, moreover, became involuntary vegetarians for at least part of the year. It’s interesting to look at this using some of Chaucer’s characters from The Canterbury Tales as a focus, from the Monk, whose favourite dish was roast swan, to the poor widow on her smallholding. And you may find some surprising echoes of how we eat today.
- Duration: 60 mins
- Online Zoom event: Join from your computer, phone or tablet (a recording will be available)
Meet the Host, Judith
Judith loved history and literature equally at school, and hated having to choose between them – but opting for an English degree led her on to further studies at the Shakespeare Institute, based then in Birmingham. Since then a career in secondary teaching has developed beyond retirement into teaching adults. Judith has given dozens of courses in the novel, poetry, social history and the history of food, and delivered popular talks on everything from Georgian cartoons to poets laureate.
"There’s so much to learn, and more and more ways to do it", says Judith. "When I find something fascinating I want to share it, and to find the best way of bringing history and literature to life. Learning and entertainment needn’t be mutually exclusive."
More Information
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