Foul Foods in Medieval England

The food eaten by peasants in medieval times was very different than food eaten by rich people. Villagers ate the food that they grew so if their crops failed then they had no food. Sometimes if peasants were desperate they might eat cats, dogs and rats. Rich people always had plenty to eat. They ate fresh meat, chickens and geese. Salted meat was eaten in winter and boiled in large cauldrons and served as stew.

Meat of all kinds was eaten. Herrings, eels and salted fish were very popular. Everybody drank cider, beer and wine. Even children drank beer for breakfast. Large towns even had takeaway food. You could buy delicious hot thrushes, two for a penny, and a tasty hot sheep’s foot. They would even deliver food to your door. Some food sellers cheated though. Many added sand to their loaves and in one disgusting case a loaf was found that contained cobwebs.

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