Of pots and porridge: food, cooking, and serving in Old Norse sources

TY - JOUR

T1 - Of pots and porridge

T2 - food, cooking, and serving in Old Norse sources

AU - Ashby, Steve

AU - Evans Tang, Harriet J

N1 - This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details

PY - 2021/12/31

Y1 - 2021/12/31

N2 - This article explores the ways in which medieval Icelanders imagined the food and culinary practices of their Viking-Age ancestors. Through a critical synthesis of vocabulary and narrative in sagas, poetry and law texts, it becomes possible to move beyond isolated references to food and culinary practice, and to begin to consider attitudes to particular foods and technologies. The survey identifies some apparent constants in culinary memory – boiling, the use of kettles – as well as contrasting cooking and eating practices in elite and non-elite circles, and in foreign and domestic settings. The textual evidence thus usefully augments and nuances what can be gleaned from the material remains of culinary practice in Viking and medieval Iceland.

AB - This article explores the ways in which medieval Icelanders imagined the food and culinary practices of their Viking-Age ancestors. Through a critical synthesis of vocabulary and narrative in sagas, poetry and law texts, it becomes possible to move beyond isolated references to food and culinary practice, and to begin to consider attitudes to particular foods and technologies. The survey identifies some apparent constants in culinary memory – boiling, the use of kettles – as well as contrasting cooking and eating practices in elite and non-elite circles, and in foreign and domestic settings. The textual evidence thus usefully augments and nuances what can be gleaned from the material remains of culinary practice in Viking and medieval Iceland.

KW - food, cooking, sagas, eddic poetry, skaldic poetry, þættir, cooking pots

M3 - Article

SN - 1782-7183

VL - 17

JO - Viking and Medieval Scandinavia

JF - Viking and Medieval Scandinavia

ER -