|
|
|
|
 |
A
Second Handbook of Anglo-Saxon Food and Drink:
Production and Distribution
by Ann Hagen |
| This
volume is about twice the size of her first one and just as full of
interesting information and documentation. The first half takes
each foodstuff (cereals, fruits, pigs, etc.) and devotes a chapter to
everything she could find on it's availability and production
methods. For instance, the 5th century inhabitants of the Latimer
villa consumed wild dear in far greater numbers than their predecessors,
probably due to the breakdown of more ordered food distribution as Rome
withdrew. Although raisins do not leave archeological evidence,
written evidence tells us they had them - at his death in 735, Bede bequeathed
raisins, dried prunes and exotic spices to his brethren. The
second half of the book deals with food distribution. She examines
measures, food supply for religious communities and towns, the problems
of finding food while traveling and charity.
$24.95 (paperback) |
