Bread trenchers was [Sca-cooks] Tableware

[Decker, Terry D.]

The Panter or Pantler was the household officers in charge of bread (and by
extension long term stores).  The Baker prepared the bread and delivered it
to the Pantry, where it was stored, prepared and dispensed to the tables.
If you are wondering why I use the term carver rather than Pantler, I am
using it generically.

The Pantlers office used three knives for preparing bread; a carver (large
blade) to cut it, a chisel-like chipper to remove the crust and a parer
(small blade) to trim the edges.

The woodcut from Der Schatzbehalter can be found here:
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/food-art/grand_feast.gif

I don't have my bibliography readily available and since it lists text which
provide information or lack thereof, it needs a little editting to be useful
to you.  I'll send you a copy when I'm back home.

Bear



> Bear said:
>
> "Illustrations from the 15th Century show the squared
> trenchers and often
> the
> carvers knives at the table suggesting that the preparation
> of the trenchers
> was being done at the table.  The famous woodcut from Der
> Schatzbehalter
> (Nuremburg, 1491) shows the ruling noble being served squared
> trenchers, but
> leaves one wondering if the other diners are eating from
> round trenchers or
> plates.  Trenchers are remarkable absent from most 16th Century
> illustrations."
>
> This statement is particulalry interesting to me as I
> ercently read that the
> the Panter/Pantler was the person whose kob it was to cut the
> trenchers an
> he had a particular knie with which to do it.
>
> Is it possible fo you to email you sources or you current
> draft? I would
> sincerely appreciate that.
>
> Thanks
>
> Caitlin of Enniskillen