Medieval Knives: Utensils vs Weapons

 “ A French book of instruction for college students advised the person in charge of the dining hall to say at the start of each meal, "Every man draw his knife!" and at the end of the meal, "Every man clean his knife and replace it in his sheath!" That way no knives would be left lying around the table when not in use.”~ Image source, Pinterest

Because knives in the Middle Ages had sharp points and could be used as weapons as well as utensils, firm rules developed about the way they were handled during meals. A French book of instruction for college students advised the person in charge of the dining hall to say at the start of each meal, "Every man draw his knife!" and at the end of the meal, "Every man clean his knife and replace it in his sheath!" That way no knives would be left lying around the table when not in use.

Other rules said that a knife should always be placed on the table with the sharp edge facing in toward the diner rather than out toward his neighbor. It should never be lifted from the table during courses when it wasn't needed. And if it were offered to someone else, the knife should be held by the point instead of the handle so that it wouldn't seem threatening. – From James Cross Giblin’s book, “From Hand to Mouth”, 1987

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