Short Assignment: The Canterbury Tales

One very important aspect of Chaucer’s culture is the food and drink consumed during this time. The diet of Chaucer’s England is rather unique because of what was consumed and by whom. Social class played a major role in the everyday diet, in fact, it is argued that lower classes had a healthier diet than the higher classes. The daily diet for an upper-class member of society, such as knights, consisted of high amounts of red meat, fat, and sugar. While member of lower social classes might have consumed nutritional foods such as vegetables and foods high in fiber (Forgeng and McLean, 183). One common denominator amongst food consumed was bread. While different styles of bread reflected social status, it was nonetheless a staple in almost every medieval diet. An average aristocratic diet usually consisted of meat, especially beef, followed by pork and mutton, as well as dairy and egg products (Forgeng and McLean, 183). On the other hand, “A prosperous peasant might consume two or three pounds of bread, eight ounces of meat or fish, and from two to three pints of ale per day.” (Forgeng and McLean, 183). While it is a simple diet, it is clear to see how lower social classes may have been healthier based on diet alone.

One unmistakable feature of the diet in Chaucer’s England is the amount of alcohol consumed. The very basis of this story revolves around the consumption of ale in the tavern of the Host and the tales that ensue are often told in a drunken manner. At almost every meal, no matter the social class, ale was consumed which is the unhopped version of beer, and consumption was not limited to anyone including women and children. Typically, a gallon of ale per day per person was consumed, however, it was not as strong as common beer is today. The lack of hops made it difficult to store ale for long periods of time which is why it was so often consumed in large quantities (Forgeng and McLean, 190). While it might seem odd, water was usually only consumed by those of the extreme lower classes which was less flavorful, nutritious, and safer than alcoholic beverages (Forgeng and McLean, 191). Due to poor sanitation systems during this time, water pollution was prevalent throughout England especially in cities. Other alcoholic beverages such as wine, mead, cider, and perry as well as distilled liquors were available, but rarely consumed and often had to be exported.

Diet played a very important role in Chaucer’s England and was unique by its simplicity and the fact that it denoted class. Chaucer’s tales cover a broad spectrum of social class and as each tale is told it is interesting to note the social status of the characters by the way they eat and drink. The Canterbury Tales revolves around people from different walks of life and distinct social classes joining together for one common purpose and it is clearer now to see their backgrounds and better understand the culture of this period of time.

Works Cited

Forgeng, Jeffrey L., and Will McLean. Daily Life in Chaucer’s England. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1995. Print.