[Sca-cooks] Coffyn pan?

[Terry Decker]

The term coffyn has it's origins in a Greek word meaning "basket" was 
transferred into Latin then came into English via Old French, where it meant 
"little basket," "case," etc.  Thus the shape may be immaterial to the 
definition as the coffin was created to meet the needs of the contents.  The 
idea in the SCA that the coffyn should be rectangular may be an artifact of 
the modern usage of the word, a box to hold a body.  This usage first occurs 
in English around 1525 (although the same usage in French dates from around 
1330).

In the sense that coffyn is used on this list, it is: (1) a shaped mold of 
dough to hold a pie, (2) a pie crust, and (3) a dish to hold a pie.

I haven't seen much about the size and shape of hand raised coffyns, but for 
pies shaped in a pan I suspect that many of the baking dishes were 
terracotta or ceramic and that circular baking dishes are easier to produce 
than square or rectangular ones.

Bear

But, Gunthar, weren't Medieval coffyns round?  I sort of got that impression 
from most of the existing illustrations, but I may be wrong <sigh>.  The 
Charlotte Mold might be a better choice.  But, why not some of the round 
spring molds?  They are fairly tall (at least 4" tall), and would probably 
release fairly easily.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meisterin Katarina Helene von Schönborn, OL

Because of the really cool bread baking pan that was linked
(which I will definately be purchasing) I've been browsing
the Williams-Sonoma catalogue. I saw this and, although
meant to be a Pate' en Croute pan I was thinking this might
be good for making coffyns. I'd love to make period coffyns
but can't find a pan with the correct sides. I know some people
have built up coffyn pans with paper but I'd like a full metal
mold someday. This might fit the bill for some types.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku7708/index.cfm?pkey=cBKWSPTI

Gunthar