MANNERS

ETIQUETTE

TABLE MANNERS

Medieval Table Manners
EATING AT HOME - FEASTING IN COMPANY - RULES FOR THE TABLE

Courtsey at the table was of great importance in medieval times. The image from movies showing people eating with their fingers tearing hunks of flesh off a joint of meat with their teeth and throwing the bones over the shoulder for the dogs paints an altogether incorrect image of what it was like to dine in the middle ages, both at home and at a feast as the guest of another.

As this detail from the Queen Mary Psalter in 1310 shows, dining was a more civilized experience and a certain level of decorum was expected. Women, in particular, were expected to be well-mannered in all areas as well as at table.

Eating at home
Medieval people were very religious and prayer was an integral part of the day. A prayer would certainly always be said before any meal even when eating at home. Hands were always washed both before and after a meal.

Even people with little in the way of tableware were conscious of basic hygiene and good manners. Mothers have, after all, changed very little over the course of time and always sought to instill the best manners she can in her offspring. There is little hope of social improvement with no manners and should one be called upon to serve a person of higher rank, it was imperative that offense not be given, even unintentionally.

Feasting in company
A feast would begin by less important people washing their hands before going to the table. To fail to do so was the height of rudeness. The upper class and guests of honour would be seated by a servant. A washing bowl would be delivered to them at the high table. The chaplain would say a prayer before any of the food is brought to the tables.

Communal plates were usual and meant to serve four people at once. The guests at the high table, however, only had to share with one other person.

The image at right shows a scene from the Duk du Berry's Tres Riches Heures, illuminated 1412-1416. Food and fine clothing show a standard of living above the average man. The Roman de la Rose, a famous French poem from the 13th century, gives advice to a woman in her table manners:

She ought also to behave properly at table. . . . She must be very careful not to dip her fingers in the sauce up to the knuckles, nor to smear her lips with soup or garlic or fat meat, nor to take too many pieces or too large a piece and put them in her mouth. She must hold the morsel with the tips of her fingers and dip it into the sauce, whether it be thick, thin, or clear, then convey the mouthful with care, so that no drop of soup or sauce or pepper falls on to her chest. When drinking, she should exercise such care that not a drop is spilled upon her, for anyone who saw that happen might think her very rude and coarse. And she must be sure never to touch her goblet when there is anything in her mouth. Let her wipe her mouth so clean that no grease is allowed to remain upon it, at least not upon her upper lip, for when grease is left on the upper lip, globules appear in the wine, which is neither pretty nor nice.

Rules for the table
- Persons of lower rank stand upon the head of the house and important guests entering or leaving the room
- One uses one's own knife which was brought with oneself.
- Forks were cooking utensils. Never eat with them.
- Food is picked up by stabbing with the knife but NEVER did the knife go to the mouth. The food must be removed with the fingertips to eat.
- Do not make many selections and gather them to your plate.
- Keep your elbows off the table while eating.
- Do not belch or spit at the table.
- Do not stuff your mouth full.
- Do not dip meat or fingers directly into the salt bowl. Use the knife tip.
- Do not leave a spoon in a dish when you were finished.
- Do not use the knife to pick your teeth.
- Do not take all the choicest morsels for yourself.
- Meat should be cut from the joint.
- Bread should be cut, not broken and the upper crust offered to the guest.
- It is acceptable to select fruits, tarts and morsels with one's fingers.
- A spoon should be used for broth. Do not lift the plate to your mouth.
- Under no circumstances eat the trencher (plate of stale bread).
- Napkins to be placed over the left shoulder or left wrist and used.
- Do not wipe your mouth on your sleeve- use a napkin.
- Take a cup with both hands to drink if it is shared.
- Wipe your mouth on a napkin before drinking from a shared vessel.
- If you are offered a drink from the host's cup, do not pass the cup around.

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