Supermarket deception

      "The Pommes Dauphinoise are great, Ma'am!" an imagined quotation

Update 23 May on Coronation - at foot of Elizabeth 1 page

Update 19 May

If looking for a specific, see the Contents here.

Page header pics aren't copyable.  The above pic is on the Elizabeth 2 page.               

Elizabethan Food and Drink - an article for adaptation

Their Majesties Queen Elizabeth I & II entertain and are entertained: inspiration for Jubilee food.

by Prof Alan F Harrison  

In this the year of HM Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, it is appropriate that we acknowledge the role she plays as host and guest in the international political dining room.  There will be communities which play their part in the acknowledgement and we look forward to publishing details as they come in..  Those who plan community events may set their menus according to the Queen’s preferred food and wine and it will be interesting to find out how they went about finding out.  This writer contacted the Palace to be told, understandably, that no information is issued. 

     The approach used to ascertain HM Queen Elizabeth’s food and wine preferences has been to look at her as host and as guest.  Those involved in providing the banquets and other meals are likely to ask the right people.  With such purpose, they are more likely to receive advice than a food writer.  In 3012, the likelihood of obtaining information will be the same as that for Queen Elizabeth I, but we can’t wait that long.

     Books and Internet sources abound but none provide verifiable statements.  There are school projects centred on celebration meals for the Jubilee.  Street parties are being planned at the time of writing - mid-May.  Hotels and restaurants are no doubt carrying out their research.  The results are a matter of organisers sending in the information for later publication.

     Perhaps schools are more likely than community event organisers to base their Jubilee menus on Queen Elizabeth I.  Either way, it has been interesting to conduct the research.  Elizabethan food and drink varied according to status and wealth. In the early Medieval era, meat was a sign of wealth. But as the population rose, this was supported by improving agricultural techniques and inventions. The Elizabethan era also saw the introduction of different food from the New World and it included the potato and tomato along with chilli, cayenne and paprika . It saw the expanded use of sugar. Increased cultivation of fruit trees and bee hives was also seen during the Elizabethan era increasing the range of foods available.  Elizabethan food and drink varied according to status and wealth.  Banquets and feasts within the Court were lavish. The Tudor Dynasty was always in competition with French royalty.  Cooks faced the reality of the competition and did all they could to provide Elizabeth with banquets of  higher renown.   The word originated from French and meant a meal eaten at a bench. 

     In contrast, however, Elizabeth I preferred more simple fayre.  Her meals were light, with fish or fowl more often than red meat.  The ale called “Angel’s Face” or “Dragon’s Milk” was too strong for her and she added water to anything alcoholic.  Before bed at nine o’clock, she drank ale with white bread, not the coarse bread made from rye or dry ground peas which the common people ate.

     When we turn our attention to Queen Elizabeth II, the practicalities of the research reveal trite quotations such as “Her Maj lists taking afternoon tea among her royal pastime.  Alongside her special blend of royal tea, are scones, potted shrimps and thin cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off.”  It’s much better to look at the royal table at banquets and similar where thought and investigation have been applied.  State visits are formal visits to the UK by Heads of State from overseas, with the aim of strengthening Britain's relationships with other countries.  There are usually two incoming State visits each year.  We presume the menu is a compromise between HM's Household  research into the guest's food preferences and her own.

       No sign of the wine served.  The Government keeps a large wine cellar near Whitehall with nearly 40,000 bottles.  Only Her Majesty and heads of state are allowed the finest vintages.  Other wines are served to maintain the diplomatic atmosphere.

        Regarding local Jubilee festivities, the emphasis is best placed on H M’s preference for the finest and freshest ingredients simply prepared.  It shows in the menus.

-o-