Sir Kenelm Digby (July 11, 1603 – June 11, 1665). He was an English courtier, diplomat and highly reputed natural philosopher, known in society circles as a leading Roman Catholic intellectual, (he was also a founder member of the highly regarded Royal Society). His cook book, The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened, was [...]
Hannah Glasse (1708 – 1770) was an English writer of the eighteenth century. She is best known for her cookbook, ‘The Art of Cookery’, first published in 1747. This book can be said to be the forerunner of the modern ‘cook-book’, “I believe I have attempted a Branch of Cookery which Nobody has yet thought [...]
We cannot praise and recommend the following books highly enough. If you want to know more about food, recipes and eating habits in British history then these books are essential reading. These books offer a fascinating and, at times, a highly unusual mirror of British society as it evolved. They gather together many of the [...]
Maria Eliza Rundell (1745 – 1828). She was not the first woman to write a sucessful book of recipes, (this was Hannah Glasse, some 60 years earlier) but she played an important part in creating what we now think of as a ‘cookery book’. Her first manuscript was never intended for publication, like a lot [...]
This is a list of reputable and professionally run re-enactment organisations and clubs, (non-profit). Re-enactment displays have a long and proud history. The Romans staged recreations of famous battles within their amphitheaters as a form of public spectacle. While in the Middle Ages European tournaments and jousts often re-enacted historical themes from the romance histories. [...]
This Chocolate Brownie recipe, like our Hot Chocolate Puddings recipe, is the real thing; they are definitely not your average Chocolate Brownie. If you ever felt you and your friends or family really deserved a treat or reward, or it is a very special occasion, then this is what you should make. Buy bars of [...]
From at least Medieval times salt was mixed with saltpetre, and other ingredients such as sugar, honey, pepper or juniper berries, to carry out the processes of preserving pork. Dry Cured Hams are the hind leg of a pig that have been salted, then air-dried to ‘cure’. This is done using a curing compound, (consisting [...]
When you hear that jam can be made in 20 minutes, any jam, in twenty-minutes, you might well be skeptical … by saying it even I feel like a snake-oil salesman trying to convince you that rubbing on this lotion will miraculously make you live longer. But its true, any fruit, any jam, in 20 [...]
Sticky Toffee Pudding is a great tasting recipe, and certainly a modern British ‘classic’, (alongside Jam Roly-Poly and Spotted Dick puddings) capturing for many the childhood memories of growing up in the 20th Century. Some say Sticky Toffee Pudding was developed in the Lake District in the 1960′s while others claim it is from an [...]
Scones are a great treat at tea time, (once served at 4 pm sharp) and quintessentially British. While the English have taken credit for their popularity, this is a dish which all regions of Britain enjoy, and have a history with. The simple scone is thought to have originated from Scottish Quick Breads, (baked on [...]
These Victorian, regional Cherry Turnovers are a speciality of Buckinghamshire in southern England, where wonderful, local Cherries are grown in many private and commercial cherry orchards. They have a light pastry top and bottom, and ripe, tangy-juicy cherries in the center. Cherries have a very short growing season if you are after picking your own; [...]
Blackberry Jam is a real treat on toast in the mornings. It has a unique, and easily recognisable flavour amongst jams, with its sweet-sharp dance on the tongue and deep berry taste. To help the jam set, (adding in extra pectin) the recipe uses one brambley apple and a small amount of fresh apple juice [...]
Many people’s favourite jam is strawberry, and with good reason, this fruit lends itself to jam making, and is wonderfully delicious when eaten on a fresh piece of buttered Manchet Bread. Collecting the fruit is a great summer time family day out and the return on the labour by having your own home-made jam to [...]
