Fasting was once a major part of daily life in England with up to 40% of the year being fast days. This talks looks at the origins and the pattern of fasting that ordinary people had to maintain for hundreds of years. What restrictions did fasting place on the foods people could eat and what foods did they have to eat instead? When did fasting decline and why and what legacy did it leave?
Views: 224 | Enquiries: 1I've been researching, writing and giving talks about the history of food and drink for the last 20 years. I gained a PhD from Nottingham University in 2007 for my study of food and drink in a gentry household in the 16th century. Since then I've conducted extensive research into traditional food and drink in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and done some studies of individual foods - sheep's milk cheese, oatcakes and Henderson's Relish. I'm secretary of the Leeds Symposium on Food History and Traditions.
I'm used to giving talks to a wide variety of audiences - both national and local history societies and more general groups such as U3A, Probus and WI. Everything I talk about is thoroughly researched, but the aim is to entertain rather than just to lecture.
All talks are 45 minutes to 1 hour and illustrated by Powerpoint slides. I'm also happy to deliver all talks either in person or over Zoom.
I charge £50 that includes travelling expenses if within 25 miles of my home in North Derbyshire. I am prepared to travel further afield but may need to charge a little more to cover travel costs.
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