Why the Feasts were done?
Medieval feasts were done on special holidays or days, such as a wedding. Another reason would be because company was coming, and no matter who the person was, even strangers, a Celt always took them in as a guest and gave them food, water, shelter and entertainment. We know that the dishes depended on the type of food in that area mainly and also depended on the Celts status position in medieval years. Earlier years the tribe worked for the Chieftains for free and in turn, the Chieftains (or Lords or Kings) would provide for their entire tribe. No one would be abused or starved and noone was without respect for each other. Regardless of what the occassion, hospitality was a huge virtue in Daily life! We do know that sometimes food was sent from elsewhere for the Medieval feast occasion if it came from say - a dowry. There was no such thing as being modest and some Medieval feasts served up to 6 or more courses.
What Food is served?
The food you can choose from would be mostly food from your native land and culture but if you were in the nobility classes you would be able to import some exotic meats, fruits, vegetables and nuts. They had lots of spices, from herbs and other, back then to flavour the food. Again, something foreign, like sugar would be expensive. Honey was the most popular sugar for Europeans from the beekeepers who were usually monks who lived around the churches.
Yes, the Celtic feasts, as well as the Medieval feasts, were elaborate but don't let that scare you. Its not hard to put on a Medieval feast as they were very similar to our own modern manner of eating in a fancy restaurant. The 1st round is a light one such as with a soup or salad. Make sure the first entertainer goes after this course. He or she has the shortest act. Second Round you serve the meats and vegetables with bread to sop up the juices. Again have your second entertainer who lasts double the length of time as the first one. Now 3rd course ends with something sweet.. The general rule depends on the Medieval Feast occasion, the more formal, the more fancy the dessert. The only thing different than today is the reasons for the choices of foods eaten. Every recipe and preparation had to be done in a ritual protocol that could not be strayed from.
Light fruits and veggies at the beginning. Heavier foods to digest go towards the end. Cheese was served before and after the meal because this is what physicians of the time believed was good digestion.
What are the Drinks?
Water, ale, beer, mead, milk, and wine were flowing generously. Cider became increasingly popular as well later. Every food was sacred to the Celts.... of course the Celtic tribal golden days are long over by this time, but the people although Christianized, still retained the superstitions, especially in the remote areas. Wine was believed to nourish the body, restore health, aid digestion, clarify ideas, open the arteries, cure melancholy and help in procreation.
Whats on the Table?
Your guests will have a riot eating with their fingers, though sometimes a fork was used but usually only to hold the food while you cut a slab off with your dirk. Everyone carried around a dirk (long knife). There were water bowls and cloth napkins, that yes everybody shared. Today, we can do this but make sure, you get sanitary wipes to wipe off bacteria after. Don't forget they had tankards, drinking horns and goblets, and a serving spoon would come from the kitchen help but soup was slurped and sopped up with bread!
What about Entertainment?
Medieval feasts would usually be followed by hours of dancing, singers, acts, and musicians.
What about Dress?
If you've been invited, or are going to invite people, to a medieval feast themed event, make sure you or your guests know if its going to be a peasant style feast or is it going to be more like high nobles, lords and kings. Everyone will need to know so they can choose what to wear for costumes to the Medieval feast. I personally enjoy having both with a head table. The fabric in the medieval days was very thick. If you plan on sewing your own costume, use upholstery fabrics. Stay away from pastel colors as they were nonexistent as well as certain patterns like stripes and polka dots. The colors should be bright and rich. Choose colors such as deep blues, deep greens, deep reds, bright yellows and chocolate browns. A good idea would be to ask the century they are thinking, as some centuries didn't have buttons yet.
