A History of Royal Food and Feasting

Nicky McGirr, Zinta Jaunitis, Kate Williams, Jane Parker, Ruth Salter, Yen Tu, Emma Fleming, Lisa Methven, Ruth Barnes (Mentor), Stephanie Bull, Charlotte Crouch, Harriet Mahood, Sarah Smith, Katie Phillips, Annie Gray, Marc Meltonville, Polly Putnam, Kathryn Cook, Anastasia Rattigan, Olivia Bascombe, and Megan Gooch

Topics Covered

The Tudor kitchens at Hampton Court Palace and catering to the king, his court and servants.
The celebrations and christening of Edward VI.
Henry’s expanding waistline and the science behind his assumed, heavy protein diet.
Palace or a prison? Elizabeth I’s relationship with the Tower.
The expansion of Elizabeth’s empire, discovery of new worlds, exotic foods and their influence on eating habits.
Surviving or thriving; life as a prisoner at the Tower, and some daring escapes.
Sir Walter Raleigh; his life as a prisoner in the Tower, experimenting with herbal plants, including his Great Cordial recipe.
How chocolate came to be an integral part of the English court and why George I had his own chocolate maker.
Lavish entertainments using chocolate to showcase kingship and wealth.
The science of chocolate.
The Royal Kitchens at Kew Palace and how it catered for the Royal family.
George III; flamboyance versus frugality
The mad king. George’s medical treatment and the food he ate following his first bout of mental illness.
Young Victoria and the celebrations in 1836 when she turned 17.
The rise of the middle class queen. New technology and the Victorian food revolution.
Victoria’s eating habits and her favourite foods.
The democratisation of tea and cake.

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Reviews summary

Feast on history through the royal palaces

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the culinary history of the British monarchy, taking learners on a journey through the kitchens and palaces of the Tudors, Elizabethans, and Victorians. Reviews consistently praise the engaging format, which features expert historians, curators, and food scientists, as well as opportunities for learners to try out historical recipes. The course is described as fun and enjoyable, with a particular emphasis on the use of multiple experts and historic venues to create an immersive experience.

Cook and share your culinary creations

"The history, the cooking and the activities ... were very engaging and interesting."

Step into the shoes of royalty

"It’s a pity I didn't take the course before visiting the U.K., but I've certainly added a few places to visit next time I'm around."

Learn from historians, curators, and chefs

Interactive activities and discussion

"It's fun."

"This is the best class I've experienced so far for active moderator engagement in the discussions, and for leveraging student-provided info into the course itself."

May lack academic rigor for some

"I could wish for a bit more academic rigor, but that's just a personal preference."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for A History of Royal Food and Feasting. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.