Today is the last day of a yearlong celebration celebrating the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare – #BardYear.
First Folio
April 23rd 1616 is the day he died. It might also be the day he was born. We have his baptismal date, so we know he was born by when. But funerals are a bigger deal, celebration wise, in the 17th century then births (infants are considered to be lumps of flesh in search of their humanity; if you live to adulthood, you’re a person).
A quick run through of a few, very few selected Shakespeare and food books:
Last one read, first one mentioned – Shakespeare on Toast
I need to find out what the English “on toast” reference is, but it was well written, fast paced and enormously entertaining and informative (words that belong together especially when dealing with Shakespeare). Not about food, how to read Shakespeare (aloud – they’re plays, not novels!) and other tips, tricks and insights.
And to continue the reverse chronological order in which I’ve read/ discovered them….
The Shakespeare Cookbook. Andrew Dalby and Maureen Dalby.The British Museum Press: 2012.
Lovely illustrations from the British Museum collection, like 17th century fruit trenchers…and lots more. Great food, too and adaptations.
Fruit trencher or roundel from the 17th century- not just any wooden plate! from the British Museum
Shakespeare, not Stirred. Cocktails for Everyday Dramas. Caroline Bick, PhD, and Michelle Ephriam, PhD. Perigee Books: NY 2015.
Quite possibly the most fun of the bunch…. Shall I Campari to a Summer’s Day?….Oh, yes!
Shakespeare’s Kitchen. Francine Sagen. Random House NY 2003.
The photo’s in this are lovely and the recipes work extremely well in a modern kitchen, even if one or two are so adapted as to be unrecognizable from their Shakespeare time form….if you like good food, cook it all; if you want good history, cook the ones with period recipe mentioned….
Dining With William Shakespeare. Marge Lorwin. Atheneum: NY 1976. has been part of my life for decades…it was my introduction to food in the time of Pilgrims, and the scholarships – and readability – have help up well through the decades. I always find something new when I go back.
Plants of Shakespeare. Adelma Grenier Simmons. 1987. Caprilands Coventry Conn.
I got this little book when I visited Caprilands Herb Farm in Coventry Connecticut in the early ’80’s….might be time for a field trip….
and this, too!
Save
