Table manners in the early Middle Ages consisted of: not making a dirty mess, not being greedy, not getting excited and respecting table companions. Enforcing those rules certainly had its function because early in the Middle Ages people ate with their hands. Eating was a communal affair for which agreements were indispensable for smooth running. In a writing by Erasmus, a number of table manners were listed and actually denounced because some of them were related to misconduct. Sachs also described a number of table manners.
Common use
For example, the medieval people ate with their fingers from a bowl intended for everyone. The meat lay on a board from which people took it and dipped it into a communal sauce boat, just like the bread. Soup was drunk from the same bowl with several people and the drinking cup was also passed around the table.
Later in the Middle Ages own tableware
Later in the Middle Ages, each table companion received his own plate, glass, spoon, knife and fork. What used to be eaten directly from bowls now had to be spooned onto each plate using a serving utensil before it could be touched with one’s own cutlery. These rules were not so much introduced because of hygiene, because people were still not so strict about it, but because it was more elegant.
Knowing what was and wasn’t allowed with bread
However, many of the customs introduced by the highest nobility varied quite often. It was important to know exactly what was allowed and what was not. For example, from a certain point onwards bread was no longer allowed to be broken by hand but had to be cut with a knife. Later it had to be broken by hand again, as it still is today.
Writings on some table manners
Various writings have been published about the table manners of that time, such as civility booklets, poems and royal mirrors. A royal mirror is the name for a document of a didactic, legal, historical or theological nature.
Important writings by Erasmus and Sachs
Two important writings on table manners were those of Desiderius Erasmus (1466?-1536) who wrote Vorstenspieghel and the poet Hans Sachs (1494-1576) who composed the poem Eine Tischschik.
Vorstenspieghel
Erasmus listed a number of table manners in his work that were actually intended to confront his contemporaries with the misconduct they sometimes engaged in:
- Before coming to the table, one must clean oneself, especially one’s fingernails.
- During the meal, both hands should be on the table but not folded or resting broadly.
- Supporting with elbows is only permitted for the elderly and weak.
- Table members may not be harassed with elbows or feet.
- One should not rock up and down but should sit quietly upright.
- If a piece of meat still looks good, you should leave it to the neighbor.
- It is also uncouth to turn the dish in such a way that the best part appears.
- After taking liquid food, do not forget to wipe the spoon on the napkin.
- Licking fingers is not appropriate, nor is wiping the tablecloth.
- Only storks gobble up large chunks.
- Nibbled bread should not be dipped into the soup again.
- Gnawed food should not be passed on to anyone else.
- Only cats lick sugar or other sweets from the plate.
Ein Tisch sigh
Sachs also took a number of table manners as a starting point in his poem:
- The oldest gets to brag first.
- Sniffing and gasping at the table is not polite.
- Don’t rush the food so that dishes don’t fall over.
- Do not hold the bread against the breast when cutting.
- Do not take full spoons, even if you are in a hurry.
- Do not add until the mouth is empty.
- Don’t talk with your mouth full.
- Chewing should be done with the mouth closed and do not stick out the tongue like a dog.
- Wipe the mouth before drinking from the glass so that the glass does not become greasy.
- Do not cough into the glass and drink modestly.
- Do not blow your nose at the table so as not to disturb others.
- Also don’t poke your nose.
- Don’t grind your teeth.
- Don’t scratch your head.
- Do not wipe your hands on the tablecloth.
- Praise and thank the Lord after the meal.