[Sca-cooks] nibbling and buffet tables and such

[Pixel, Goddess and Queen]

On Thu, 10 Jan 2002, Ted Eisenstein wrote:

> A question that occurred to me on another list. . .
>
> There is a custom in some kingdoms (well, in at least one. . . )
> of having a table of nibbles and bite-sized cocktail-party-type
> food outside a vigil tent, for those waiting in line to talk to the
> person on vigil and interested bystanders.
>
> Was there anything remotely like this, in period? Not necessarily
> outside a vigil tent, but more generic; a table or five, full of
> small food items, for, oh, breaking a fast on a major high holy
> day when there's no time for a regular breakfast, or to last you
> until the real breakfast, or before or right after courts or
> gatherings-of-lords-and-retainers to discuss business. You know,
> a buffet, for when there wasn't time for a full meal, or people
> simply needed something to tide them over?
>
> Alban

You mean *indulge the flesh*?! From what I've managed to gather from my
readings, the lord *might* have had a snack brought in but most of the
other situations you mention, probably not. Vigils were very religious
experiences, marked by, among other things, purification by bathing
ritually and by fasting.

Fast days you weren't supposed to have more than one meal, regular days
you were only supposed to have two. Breakfast was a weak indulgence
(although probably indulged in by many people, even if it was a hunk of
bread just to get going), and a more common thing later in period than
earlier.

I wish I could remember which book it was that mentioned this, but I've
done so much reading on the subject lately they blur. Anyway, apparently
the idea was that you weren't supposed to eat until full, you were only
supposed to eat until you were mostly not hungry anymore. Deprivation is
good for the soul. ;-)

If I can figure out which books they were, I'll post the info.

Margaret