In medieval times, and surely in Roman days as well, November was a month of slaughter, as food, meat in this case, was processed and preserved against the coming winter. Hogs—lean, coarse-haired creatures—that had been fattening as best they could on fallen acorns since October were now slaughtered. In towns, that would mean driving them to the Shambles, the area where the butchers kept their shops. In villages, a shed sufficed as long as it was outfitted with enough bowls and barrels to catch the bits and pieces. Nothing went to waste. Blood became blood pudding, bones became tools, the intestines because sausage casing. Oh, and don't forget the pig's bladder for the all-important boy's toy: a ball.
For much of the Middle Ages November was also the month for planting beans and garlic, both staples that no peasant or lord could do without. Books of husbandry suggested getting those all important seeds and starts before St. Edmund's Day, November 20th.
I leave you with this food for thought: Northern Europeans ate so much garlic that when Crusaders passed through Constantinople the Turkish natives held their noses, complaining of the prevalent stench!
Denise Domning's first medieval romance, Winter's Heat, received the Romantic Times award for Best First Historical Novel in 1994. Spring's Fury, Autumn's Flame, A Love for All Seasons were respectively nominated by Romantic Times for Best Medieval Novel in 1995, 1996 and 1997. Her first Elizabethan novel, Lady in Waiting, was recommended by Publisher's Weekly as well written and researched, with an accurate portrayal of Elizabeth I. Denise is currently co-authoring an autobiography with Monica Sarli about her life entitled No Regrets. Denise's website is www.DeniseDomning.com.
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