One of the most commonly consumed items of the Middle Ages
was alcohol.
But the view of the beverage has drastically changed in the
modern world. The amount consumed daily during the Middle Ages would be
considered drastically high compared to modern standards, and that’s because
they drank it regularly throughout the day, and sometimes even as a meal. Now, I
know it sounds like I am describing a fraternity, but I swear this is the Middle
Ages!
Before the 13th century, Hops and Distillation
had not been discovered yet. Therefore, most ales were a thick and soupy
substance that soured very quickly. Because it was so easy to sour, ale was for
local consumption only. By adding in hops and brewing with the added process of
distillation, ale became more of a liquid substance, the flavor was increased,
and it was now possible to preserve the ale. This opened a wide market for
alcohol trade and created a high demand that needed to be met by someone. Oddly
enough, those someone’s were Woman! Yes, you heard right, the majority of
brewers were actually woman, which is odd to think as ale has such a masculine
connotation.
Alcohol was also considered a huge health benefit in the Middle
Ages. Arnaldus of Villanova, a professor of medicine stated in 1315 that ale, “…prolongs
life, clears away ill-humors, revives the heart, and maintains youth.” It is
hard to turn down such ideas of health and the stimulation that comes with
drinking, so it is understandable why this was such a common drink for its
time. Alcohol could be purchased publicly in only three places in England:
alehouses, taverns, and inns. And because alcohol was widely loved by nobility
and commoners, there were always regulations on the prices and taxes linked to
alcohol.
"Alcohol in the Middle Ages, Dark Ages, Or Medieval Period" David J. Hanson. Sociology Department, State University of New York. https://www.alcoholproblemsandsolutions.org/alcohol-in-the-middle-ages/
"Medieval Drinks" The Medieval Chronicle. 2014. http://www.medievalchronicles.com/medieval-food/medieval-drinks/
I think this topic is a really good topic for connections. It's just strange that through time everything changes but that the production (although not the same consistency) and sale of alcohol will not change. It's a supply and demand that has been around for ages. I mean today we still have taverns and breweries.
ReplyDeleteWomen in the Middle Ages did brew much! They were known as brewsters and could set up shop on their home's back steps easily. Unfortunately mechanization does push women out of the profession. However, Hold Fast Brewery in SGF, recently opened near Drury, is an example of a woman-owned brewery, linking back to the Middle Ages.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite interesting to see how different alcohol was percieved in the middle ages compared to now. If someone said that alcohol was healthy today, then they would be completely laughed.
ReplyDeleteYou did a very good job of describing how ale was transformed during the Middle Ages. Alcohol is a very profitable business today, I wonder if these women were better off than most during the Middle Ages? Great job at looking deeper into class discussions!
ReplyDeleteI never would have guessed that most brewers were women! Big, burly, medieval men are usually associated with alcohol and ale. It is also funny to see that the fun sometimes really does not change!
ReplyDeleteI love this post because you humorously connect the modern times to the medieval world. It’s interesting to see how the masculine stereotypes surrounding ales is so present now when ale's roots lay in brew-women. The ability to preserve ale really does go hand-in-hand with the many innovations created with the rise of medieval cities.
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to had that professor i think he hit it right on the head!
ReplyDeleteThis is a topic that is very interesting to discuss and I think you did an excellent job of comparing it to the modern day. It's crazy to think how much they use to consume back then and how it was just the norm.
ReplyDelete