Fast and Feast: Food in Medieval Society (Paperback)

~ (Author) "While his poem Childe Harold was at the height of its success, Byron noted ruefully in his journal: The . . . Edinburgh bookseller once..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

An engagingly written and fully illustrated book on medieval attitudes toward food, its preparation and presentation. Few readers with an interest in food will fail to find this book both informative and entertaining.

Since attitudes toward food were shaped by the religious and social ideas of the period, the medieval perspective is clearly developed for the modem reader and, in turn, sheds light on the character of life in the Middle Ages. The subject is explored from the varied points of view of all concerned: host, guest, cook, and servant.

The author drew her material from many primary sources: devotional literature, sermons, courtesy books, recipe collections, household accounts, chronicles, and romances. Most of the documentary material comes from works written in England during the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries, but there is some reference to those of other periods and other countries.

About the Author

Bridget Ann Henisch is author of Medieval Armchair Travels (Carnation Press) and Cakes and Characters (Prospect Books) and co-author of The Photographic Experience, 1839-1914 (Penn State).

Product Details

• Paperback: 287 pages
• Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press (March 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 027100424X
• ISBN-13: 978-0271004242
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #807,658 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Informative, May 16, 2003

By A Customer

This meticulously-researched book on medieval food customs not only contains a great deal of useful information for anyone wanting more information on the era, but is almost as readable as a novel. The author has a great style, both humorous and knowledgable, and the text is enhanced with illustrations from manuscripts of the period. This is not a "plan your own medieval feast" recipe book but a meticulous and engaging look at medieval attitudes about food, food storage and preparation, and what really went on in the hall and in the kitchen. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the period.

3.0 out of 5 stars Full of information, but thick reading, November 2, 2009

By	L. McNeilly "bookie" (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I thought this would be a great source of information on the topic, and it is. It's just rather thickly written. So take your time with it.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly lite, January 21, 2009

By	Gary P. (Utah) - See all my reviews

Is it good? Oh, it's good. Gets cumbersome in places but the author maintains a lighthearted and rather even-handed tone. The author occasionally wanders dangerously into dull academese, but then rescues the prose with brilliant anecdotes. Don't expect any hard data - read and enjoy the hundreds of snapshots depicting a life long gone.

As for content: It's positively shocking to read about the social disapproval that came simply with eating before lunch, eating too much, and eating the wrong foods. It horrifies a modern reader to see the tremendous and baseless sacerdotal interference in nutrition throughout the Middle Ages. Ponder the role of churchmen who feel they had nothing better to do than offer proscriptions on how, what, and when to eat.

And then ponder how our generation has outdone even them in associating guilt and shame with the love of food...