The following recipe is from the website Tudor Food Recipes, althoug this recipe appears numerous times in print and online. Preservation Pals have selected this recipe as a way to learn about what life was like in the late Middle Ages and simple and creative ways for creating food.

The Tudor Dynasty reigned in England from 1485 to 1603. The period was ruled by six monarchs: Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Jane I, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. During this time the New World was discovered, Protestantism came to England, and England fought a great war with Spain.

Printing and publishing occurred for the first time in England in 1478, although many people were illiterate. Knowledge regarding everyday skills, such as cooking, would be transferred orally from one generation to the next.

In many ways, the Tudor menu has many similarities to Appalachian cooking. Meat is served as a main course and is an important part of the diet. Bread is served with every meal, along with seasonal vegetables. Desserts from both the Tudor period and modern Appalachia include pie and bread puddings.

Pumpion Pye

"To make a Pumpion (Pumpkin) Pye. Take about halfe a pound of Pumpion and slice it, a handfull of Tyme, a little Rosemary, Parsley and sweet Marjoram slipped off the stalks, and chop them smal, then take Cinamon, Nutmeg, Pepper, and six Cloves, and beat them; take ten Eggs and beat them; then mix them, and beat them altogether, and put in as much Sugar as you think fit, then fry them like a froiz; after it is fryed, let it stand till it be cold, then fill your Pye, take sliced Apples thinne round wayes, and lay a row of the Froiz, and a layer of Apples with Currans betwixt the layer while your Pye is fitted, and put in a good deal of sweet butter before you close it; when the Pye is baked, take six yolks of Eggs, some white-wine or Verjuyce, & make a Caudle of this, but not too thick; cut up the Lid and put it in, stir them well together whilst the Eggs and Pumpions be not perceived, and so serve it up."



Pictured: Anne Boleyn, one of the wives of King Henry the VIII and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I.