Week 4: Notes and Slides (28) Flashcards
What is “pottage” and why was it common among the poor during the medieval period?
Pottage is a thick stew made from various vegetables and sometimes grains or meat.
It was common because it could be made with whatever ingredients were available and simmered over a fire, providing a simple, sustaining meal.
Why was ale a more common drink than water in medieval Europe?
Ale was commonly consumed because the brewing process killed harmful bacteria, making it safer than drinking water, which was often contaminated.
What was the typical diet of medieval peasants?
A) Rich in meat and dairy
B) Primarily plant-based with occasional meat
C) High in spices and exotic foods
D) Mainly fruit-based
B
True or False:
The wealthy in medieval Europe had a similar diet to the poor, primarily plant-based with limited food choices.
False. The wealthy had a wide range of foods available, including meat and imported goods, unlike the poor.
Yes or No
Did the medieval poor have easy access to a high-protein diet?
No. The poor primarily relied on plant-based diets and “pottage” due to the scarcity and expense of meat, which was more accessible to the wealthy.
Explain the impact of social class on medieval diets.
In medieval society, social class greatly influenced diet. The wealthy had access to a variety of foods, including meats, exotic spices, and imported goods. In contrast, the poor had limited access to such foods and primarily consumed basic plant-based meals, such as pottage.
Match the term with its description:
TERM
Ale
Pottage
Elite diet
Peasant diet
DESCRIPTION
A) A thick stew made from various vegetables
B) A common drink, brewed to be safer than water
C) Rich in variety, including meats and imported goods
D) Primarily plant-based with limited meat
Ale - B
Pottage - A
Elite diet - C
Peasant diet - D
Yes or No
Did medieval people understand that boiling water made it safe to drink?
No. While ale was consumed because it was safer than water due to the brewing process, medieval people did not generally realize that boiling water alone would make it safe. The concept of waterborne illness and sterilization through boiling was not well understood.
What was one reason for the popularity of coffeehouses in London during the early modern period?
A) They were seen as a place for social gatherings and the exchange of ideas
B) Coffee was cheap and readily available
C) People preferred coffee to ale for its flavour
D) Coffeehouses served full meals to patrons
A
Why did medieval diets vary significantly between the wealthy and the poor?
The diets of the wealthy included a wide range of foods because they had access to a variety of meats, grains, and imported goods.
In contrast, the poor had limited options and mostly ate simple, plant-based, calorically-limited diets.
Additionally, the wealthy took the best grains (like wheat) for fine bread, leaving the poor with coarser, nutrient-dense but less desirable grains.
The brewing of ale was also common among all classes, as it provided a safer alternative to water.
