a feast for The ages
How the Christmas dinner has evolved
middle ages A) Boar’s head
A roasted boar’s head was a common feature at Christmas banquets across Europe as it supposedly represented the triumph of Christ over sin — a reflection of Christianity taking over paganism.
C) Bread, cheese and ale
An unlimited supply of bread and cheese was a popular choice to accompany the extravagant Christmas dishes at the banquets of the rich, washed down with a jug of ale.
B) Venison
Alongside various other meats, venison was always served at Christmas. The haunch would have been eaten by the rich but the animal’s offal would be given to the servants to make umble pie.
D) Frumenty pudding
Made from boiled, cracked wheat, frumenty pudding was a popular dish during the Middle Ages, often served alongside meat such as venison. It was a mainstay of a Medieval Christmas dinner.