How to Plan a Medieval Feast

Most think of medieval castles in their most somber mood of exposed stone and cold, echoing chambers. It is difficult to remember that in their time, and particularly when decked out for a feast, they shone with rich tapestries, warm fire light and the spiced scent of hundreds of succulent dishes. These feasts were not just meals, but events which often lasted several days and included entertainments as lavish as the courses laid on the table. These days, we rarely have the chance to break from the dinner table in order to watch a joust between two knights on horseback. That shouldn't stop you, though, from planning your own medieval feast among friends.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Poster board
• Brocade Fabric
• Extra Pillows

1. Create your own Shield, or a complete Coat of Arms to be displayed. In medieval times, this would have been an exacting task where each color choice and symbol included had a specific purpose to remind others of the lineage and great deeds of their host. If you love research, by all means, hit the books and create a master piece. Otherwise, I suggest that you just have fun with it. Use poster board to create the basic shape of the shield and background color. Then choose symbols which relate to your family life: Harley-Davidson wings for the family with a motorcycle enthusiast, a beautiful book for your scholar, a yin-yang symbol for your budding Tae-Kwon-Do expert, the silhouette of a lion or wolf to honor the family pet. Let your imagination run rampant, then paint or paste these symbols onto your family shield.
2. Tapestries can be made very simply by using cloth from your nearest upholstery or fabric store. Choose a rich, brocade style fabric to echo your medieval theme. You'll want 1 1/2 yards (54 in.). To keep costs down, you can divide the cloth into two or three long, slim panels (pennants) so that the effect can be spread around the room. If you don't have time to do the hemming yourself, many dry cleaners offer to do alterations and will be glad to hem your pennants for you.
3. The food and it's glorious presentation was always the centerpiece at the medieval feast so there is no need to worry about additional table decoration. You may want a tablecloth or runner which echoes your theme, but that is entirely up to you. Candles are a nice touch, reflecting the torch light which would have been used in the castles of yore, but keep in mind that a medieval feast is served "family style" (with all of the dishes being passed around the table) so there may not be room. Candles on a side table or other nearby surface will do just as well.
4. Plan your menu so that you can enjoy your feast alongside your guests. Mince pies, fruit pies and savory tarts were a staple of medieval feasts because they could be made in advance and the flavors were enhanced by having the time to blend. If you enjoy cooking, by all means, begin your enjoyment in the days leading up to the feast and have a ball. If cooking is not your thing, find a bakery or restaurant to make your pies and savory tarts ahead of time so you are not running errands on the day before the feast.
   
   Meat was always the center piece of the meal in medieval times. A large roast (turkey, beef or pork) was brought to the table and carving was a nobleman' s skill. No one was a vegetarian by choice in 15th century Europe.
   
   Times have changed, though, and you may wish to invite a vegetarian to your celebration (or you may be one yourself). Consider adding a vegetarian show piece to your menu. One option would be a thick, spicy pumpkin soup brought to the table in a lovely baked pumpkin instead of a soup tureen. In addition to your show piece, made sure that there are other dishes for your veggie friends to enjoy and remember to be specific with your bakery or restaurant as well.
5. Entertainment was an enormous part of the medieval feast. Though we no longer break from dining to enjoy a joust, there is nothing to stop us from planning entertainments of our own.
   
   Music is a must. In keeping with your theme, you can find recordings of minstrel style songs, or choose other instrumental options. Just keep in mind that you are looking for music which inspires gaiety and sprightly charm. Both Bach and Enya would be out of place at your gathering.
   
   Small children (who will become antsy during such a long and sumptuous meal) can be given the role of Tumblers in a nearby room, entertaining guests while finished dishes are removed and new ones are brought in.
   
   Toasts, poems and bawdy limericks would be right at home in this setting. Each should entertain your guests and provide a brief pause in the rich dining experience.
6. Perhaps the most important part of your medieval feast is the invitation. Make it clear to all invitees that this is not a "stop in for a nosh and duck out early" soiree.
   
   Consider providing (and mentioning on the invitation) a "castle of pillows" in a child's room or a guest room so that when the youngest guests run out of steam, they can curl up in a "realm" of their own.