Page 37 - British Museum: SYTYGIB Medieval Castle
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Another food-related job that someone in your family might have done was a taster, which involved trying the food of a royal or noble to make sure it wasn’t poisoned or off. If it was and you discovered it, you were given a pat on the back and a big pay rise. Unfortunately, you were also dead.
Congratulations on spotting that the king´s food was poisoned!
.. .
And commiserations on being dead.
When it came to manners at the table, there were books to make sure you knew what not to do. One 15th century book had the following advice:
Do not spit upon the table.
Do not pick your teeth at the table with a knife, straw or stick. Do not burp near anyone’s face if you have bad breath.
Another guide advised diners not to do bottom burps, pick their noses or scratch flea bites at the table.
BUUUUUUUUURRRRRRP!
You still haven´t read that book I gave you, have you?
But hey – this ain’t the medieval period . . . so you can do AlL of those things!
Happy burping!
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diet