Abstract
ON THE MONKS TABLE – THE CISTERCIAN FOOD AND EATING CULTURE IN MEDIEVAL DENMARK
Abstract author(s): Mollerup, Lene (Museum Skanderborg)
Abstract format: Oral
The Cistercians arose as a spiritual reform of the European monasticism around 1100 AD. A group of French monks
wanted to change the monastic life and return to the Rule of Saint Benedict. The Cistercians were known for their
severity and harshness in all matters of Monastic life, including their daily consumption of food.
The monks were supposed to refrain from gluttony. Food was considered as fuel for the body and not to be con-
sumed with pleasure. Meat from four-legged animals was prohibited; since meat was regarded as too stimulate the
carnal desire, so abstinence from meat-eating was an important tool to curb the sexual drive.
This study describes the Cistercians in Denmark and their relationship towards food based on an interdisciplinary
approach using historical, archaeological, archaeobotanical and bioarchaeological sources. The aim is to identify
the diet of the Danish Cistercians and to investigate if it is possible to detect changes in the Cistercian food intake
through time.
Abstract author(s): Mollerup, Lene (Museum Skanderborg)
Abstract format: Oral
The Cistercians arose as a spiritual reform of the European monasticism around 1100 AD. A group of French monks
wanted to change the monastic life and return to the Rule of Saint Benedict. The Cistercians were known for their
severity and harshness in all matters of Monastic life, including their daily consumption of food.
The monks were supposed to refrain from gluttony. Food was considered as fuel for the body and not to be con-
sumed with pleasure. Meat from four-legged animals was prohibited; since meat was regarded as too stimulate the
carnal desire, so abstinence from meat-eating was an important tool to curb the sexual drive.
This study describes the Cistercians in Denmark and their relationship towards food based on an interdisciplinary
approach using historical, archaeological, archaeobotanical and bioarchaeological sources. The aim is to identify
the diet of the Danish Cistercians and to investigate if it is possible to detect changes in the Cistercian food intake
through time.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 2022 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
| Event | 28th EAA Annual Meeting - Ungarn, Budapest, Hungary Duration: 31 Aug 2022 → 3 Sept 2022 Conference number: 28th https://www.e-a-a.org/eaa2022 |
Conference
| Conference | 28th EAA Annual Meeting |
|---|---|
| Number | 28th |
| Location | Ungarn |
| Country/Territory | Hungary |
| City | Budapest |
| Period | 31/08/2022 → 03/09/2022 |
| Internet address |