The Missing Utensil on Medieval Tables

And other facts about medieval feasting from Getty Medievalist Larisa Grollemond

Topics

Ancient Life

Manuscript illustration of two tables, one with people eating and drinking sedately, the other with drunken revelers, one on the ground, and spilled food and drink on the table. — The Temperate and the Intemperate, 1475-1480, Master of the Dresden Prayer Book. Tempera colors and ink, 6 7/8 × 7 5/8 in. Getty Museum, Ms. 43 (91.MS.81), recto

Mar 22, 2023

Feasting was really important in medieval culture, especially for wealthy households.

For the rich, foods could include hearty stews, roasted beef, lamb or pork, braised veggies, and bread. On special occasions, meals might also include fancier meats like venison or poultry, and spiced or poached fruit.

And of course, wine and ale.

The Feast of Dives, about 1510-1520, Master of James IV of Scotland. Tempera colors, gold, and ink, 9 1/8 × 6 9/16 in. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig IX 18 (83.ML.114), fol. 21v

Forensic analysis of the skeleton of King Richard III of England has revealed his diet of expensive freshwater fish and lots of swan and crane, decadent even by medieval standards.

A medieval illumination of a banquet with dozens of people in attendance. Some sit at the table, others stand in the hall — *Livre des Conquestes et faits d'Alexandre*, 15th Century, Jean Wauquelin. Musée des Beaux-Arts de la ville de Paris, LDUT 0456. Image © Musée des Beaux-Arts de la ville de Paris. Image licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license (CC BY-NC 3.0)

Dinnerware at noble tables could include pewter and silver dishes, glass, and elaborate saltcellars like the gold ones at the table pictured above. There weren’t any forks, but plenty of small knives and spoons.

A detail of an illuminated manuscript. In a large banquet hall, people eat at a table. Others bring gifts and play instruments — Alexander and the Niece of Artaxerxes III, about 1470-1475, Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant. Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink, 17 × 13 in. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig XV 8 (83.MR.178), fol. 123

Even though medieval feasts were very elaborate and had rules about table manners, seating of hosts and guests, and what people wore, banquets and communal meals were a chance for people to talk, eat, drink, and be entertained, just like today.

Want more stories from the Middle Ages from Getty medievalist Larisa Grollemond? Head to our Instagram page.