Food and Feast in Tudor England [Hardcover]

Alison Sim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1998

This book provides a readable overview of Tudor food and eating habits. Chapters cover kitchens and cooking, what people drank, food and health (including Tudor ideas about healthy eating), setting the table and table manners, feasting and banquets. The author shows that dining habits in the sixteenth century were not the same as those of the Middle Ages and that Tudor dining, at least for the wealthier section of the population, was much more sophisticated than it is generally given credit for.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 194 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312211112
• ISBN-13: 978-0312211110
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,680,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable read about food and feasting in Tudor times!, June 14, 2000

By 

Rebecca L. Latson (Angleton, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Food and Feast in Tudor England (Hardcover)

As a serving wench in the King's Feast Hall at the Texas Renaissance Faire, I am asked all sorts of questions about the food, the utensils, the beverages, and anything having to do with food and feasting during King Henry VIII's time. "Food and Feast in Tudor England" is not only enjoyable to read (i.e. more than just a dry recitation of the facts), but highly informative as well. Each chapter covers a various aspect such as Food and Society in the 16th Century, Kitchens and Kitchen Equipment, Health and Diet, and Tableware to name a few. As with her other books, Alison Sim has written this book in an interesting, informative, easy-to-digest manner. In addition to knowledge for knowledge's sake, this book is a must-have for anyone involved in Tudor/Renaissance role-playing. When I answer the feast hall patrons' questions, I will be giving them facts and not something made-up!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, July 4, 2001

By 

Lesley West (St James, Western Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Food and Feast in Tudor England (Hardcover)

This is a really fascinating book for anyone with a passing interest in either history or food! Yes, you foodies out there will find it to be a really good read.

The different chapters of the book deal with different aspects of the everyday life. And it is well written too - not just a dry historical text, but a rich detailing of what was available to eat and how it looked. Most people have seen grand feasts on TV or movies, such as whole roasted peacocks with their feathers put back, and yes, you can read of such extravaganzas right here!

It is a really interesting book - guaranteed to generate conversation if you leave it out the next time you have a dinner party. It is good fun too, and always interesting!