SC - Trenchers Oh my!

[Decker, Terry D.]

> Well I trial cooked the Wroclaw trencher recipe from the Florigium and I
> must tell you it is awful!  I am sure that it faithfully replicates the
> intent of the trencher and if people were expected to actually eat these
> things I really do feel their pain!  I made mine with spelt and rye
> flour.  The result was heavy and had a bitter after taste.  If you intend
> to try this one, I would suggest a trial with a reduced amount.  I
> foolishly did the full amount and have regretted it.  
>  
Trenchers are not meant to be eaten, at least by the people sitting in the
hall.  They are small, flat, dense loaves left to dry for about four days
then split and turned crust up to serve as a plate.

The used trenchers are gathered up and given to the poor as alms.  We
discussed the fact that the kitchen staff might try to sell them to the poor
some time ago, but I have since learned that the duty of gathering and
delivering the alms fell to a chaplain of the household serving in the post
of almoner (at least in the English households) to avoid tempting the staff.

> Knowing that there are some that will think I am criticizing the
> Florigium, let me say that is NOT the case.  I am just letting you know
> that this recipe does not produce a palatable result to my modern western
> taste.  For the first time feast head cook, I pass my lesson on to you. 
> In all my other dishes, I used reduced quantities until I had the desired
> effect.  I got cocky with bread having been baking for several days now
> and wanted to be done with that part of the pre-cooking.  Avoid being
> tempted to go to the dark side!
>  
The fact that you tried to eat the trenchers rather than use them as plates,
says that you did not read the section carefully to find out what you were
making.  Having been there, let me warn you against pride and ignorance
leading one into hubris.

> As an educational element, I think I will have them on a side table for
> anyone wanting to try them, but will not serve them in the feast. 
>  
> Muirghen
> 
	Rather than misleading people into trying to eat the trenchers, why
not use them in their historic role as plates.

	Bear