Seona Anderson 30/09/2024 Seona Anderson 30/09/2024

FETCHES (VETCHES)

Fetches (Vetches): Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas of wheat, rye, barley, fetches, oats and peas. There is debate about which Vetch is intended (Broadbean or Garden Vetch or Tufted Vetch).

Seona Anderson 15/08/2024 Seona Anderson 15/08/2024

RICE

Shakespeare Species Rice: what will this sister of mine do with rice? Perdita wants Rice for the Sheep Shearing Feast & her brother’s question makes it clear that it was a luxury & unfamiliar foodstuff.

Seona Anderson 14/08/2024 Seona Anderson 14/08/2024

RYE

Shakespeare Species Rye: make holiday: put your rye straw hats on. Rye was an important food crop in Shakespeare’s world and cereal straw had many uses in the Tudor world.

Seona Anderson 13/08/2024 Seona Anderson 13/08/2024

OATS

Shakespeare Species Oats: poor fellow never joyed since the price of oats rose. It was the death of him. Shakespeare includes Oats in connection with feeding animals but it was also used for food & there are several references to porridge.

Seona Anderson 12/08/2024 Seona Anderson 12/08/2024

BARLEY

Shakespeare Species Barley: can sodden water… their barley broth, decoct their cold blood to such valiant heat? The French before Agincourt speculate on what is firing up the foolhardy and frosty English. Barley was important for both food and drinks.

Seona Anderson 11/08/2024 Seona Anderson 11/08/2024

RED WHEAT

Shakespeare Species Red Wheat: sir: shall we sow the hade land with wheat? with red wheat. Red Wheat is Bearded or Durum Wheat. Durum Wheat is often used for pasta nowadays but was also used for bread in Shakespeare’s world.

Seona Anderson 10/08/2024 Seona Anderson 10/08/2024

WHITE WHEAT

Shakespeare Species White Wheat: the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet… mildews the white wheat. White or Bread Wheat sustains millions of people around the world and was fundamental in Shakespearean society.