A Christmas Feast from Eat Medieval
A Festive Online Course
Join Eat Medieval – a research collaboration between Blackfriars Restaurant in Newcastle and Durham University, with friends from further afield – for a medieval Christmas Feast.
Basing ourselves on the account of just such an occasion held by the Bishop of Hereford, Richard de Swinfield, in 1289 – we’ll be introducing recipes for venison, goose, and partridge, sweet treats, and subtleties for the table, clary – a type of spiced wine, and a boar’s head, part of the traditional medieval Christmas fare.
In the same spirit we’ll have films on Christmas in medieval literature, on the festival of Christmas in the medieval church, as well as on the Bishop of Hereford and his gourmet companions, and culinary customs for Christmas. And a new recording of the Boar’s Head Carol and some other medieval music. A Feast for all the senses.
Once you have booked onto the course, you’ll receive a code for pages on our website. The first code will unlock the preliminaries: a guide to the period and recipes, a shopping list, and some substitutes for the more unusual ingredients. The second code will unlock the pre-recorded films: each day will include recipes and explanatory academic films on medieval food and culture, as well conversation with Andy, Giles, and friends. We have a live cookery sessions over the three days and Zoom Q&A sessions as well. So, by the end you’ll be able to make a medieval Christmas feast.
Programme
| Days | Opening | Eat Medieval | Learn Medieval | Zoom | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 – Monday 14th December | Introduction to the course from Andy Hook, owner of Blackfriars, and Professor Giles Gasper, Durham University. Pre-recorded | Recipes from Head Chef Chris Wardale and Cookery School Chef Craig Nicholson: Partridge cooked in orange Goose with Sawse Madame, and in Hochepot Live Session at 5 pm UK Time | Medieval Christmas Customs Professor Giles Gasper The Bishop’s Feast of 1289 Professor Giles Gasper Christmas Music from Dr Hector Sequera Pre-recorded | Live Zoom at 9 am UK Time – particularly for participants from Australasia. Others welcome to join if they would like. We’ll run through the course, its structure, and any questions you have. Live | Closing reflections from Andy and Giles Pre-recorded |
| Day 2 – Tuesday 15th December | Introducing Day 2 – recipes, thoughts, and advice from Andy and Giles Pre-recorded | Recipes from Chris and Craig: Venison Wild Boar or Pork Pre-recorded | Medieval Christmas in Literature Dr Aditi Nafde Celebrating Medieval Christmas Professor Giles Gasper Pre-recorded | Live Zoom at 9 am UK Time – Catch up, Questions and Answers Live Zoom at 5 pm UK Time – Catch up, Questions and Answers Live | Closing reflections from Andy and Giles Pre-recorded |
| Day 3 – Wednesday 15th December | Introducing Day 3 – Desserts, Subtleties, and Fantastic Feasts with Andy and Giles Pre-recorded | Recipes from Chris and Craig: Boars-Head Puddings and Sweet Treats Subtleties – Fantastic Pastry Pre-recorded | Chants and Carols – Medieval Christmas and the Church Dr Sigbjørn Sønnesyn The Nativity in Medieval Art Dr Sarah Gilbert Pre-recorded | Live Zoom at 9 am UK Time – Catch up, Questions and Answers Live Zoom at 5 pm UK Time – Catch up, Questions and Answers Live | Closing reflections from Andy and Giles Pre-recorded |
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