SC - Nobility and Feasts

[WOLFMOMSCA at aol.com]

In a message dated 98-10-30 18:52:28 EST, Morgan & Ras wrote:

<< << I have always objected to the concept that "we are all nobility"; it's
not
  in Corpora or any other place, >>
 
 It is mentioned in the Known World Handbook which IS an OFFICIAL publication
 of the SCA. :-) As is the  suggestioon that we are trying to re-create the
 BEST of the middle ages. In my mind, being poor or a peasant is not best.
  >>

First off, Morgan is technically correct.  The information which states that
the SCA is based on the landed nobility of the European Middle Ages &
Renaissance is not contained in Corpora.  It is contained in an article of
General Information, contained in the Organizational Handbook, and meant for
use in publicity statements & informational pamphlets.  It is not a Governing
Document.

Second off, Ras is also technically correct.  The Known World Handbook is an
official publication of the SCA.  However, it is not a publication which
should be utilized as a "rule book" for the SCA.  It is only updated every ten
years or so.  It does not delineate official policy of the SCA.  It is not a
Governing Document.

Thirdly, to quote the actual Governing Document of the SCA:  Preface to
Corpora, Section B, Terminology:

"In this volume [Corpora], the following terms are used only with the meanings
given here:

*Period--Noun:  The era used by the Society as a base for its activities, that
is, Western culture prior to the beginning of the 17th century--mainly the
European Middle Ages and Renaissance.  Adjective:  Of, from, or reflecting
that era."

It seems that some folks have decided that the Scope of the Society article
overrules the requirements of Corpora.  It doesn't.  Nowhere in the Governing
Documents are we at all limited to the re-creation of the upper crust to the
exclusivity of the lower classes.  Any change to that aspect of our play must
come out of the Board of Directors, can ONLY come from that body, and will be
published with much hoopla, fanfare, and gnashing of teeth, I'm quite sure.

If we limit ourselves to the study of the upper crust (that thing called,
generically, the nobility), we do ourselves a very great historical
disservice.  It is a well-documented and pretty unarguable fact that the
nobility of the European Middle Ages wouldn't have had much of a life at all
had it not been for the peasants who grew their food, harvested their food,
carted their food, and cooked their food.  The Duchess of Whatever didn't cook
the food for her table.  In many cases, she probably didn't have the foggiest
notion how to boil water, let alone roast a haunch,  and would consider it
beneath her to dirty her hands at such a lowly task.  

It is historically inaccurate to attempt to ennoble the science of cookery.
Throughout most of our period, in general, cooking was a menial task done by
hordes of menial servants whose names we do not know.  Please note before
responding harshly that I said IN GENERAL.  There are always exceptions which
prove the rule.  

As a final note, there are non-SCAdian (including those who do other periods)
reenactors who subscribe to this list.  I consider it just a touch rude to
insist that our discussion be limited to noble feasts of our own time period,
in light of the fact that all historical cooks are welcome here.  

Burning the soapbox for a cook fire,
Wolfmother

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