Medieval Dining and Social Class

Merriam-Webster defines the term “upper crust” as the highest social class or group, especially the highest circle of the upper class — Centuries after Europe’s medieval era’s end, a flaky, upper crust was still appreciated, regardless of whether one cared if he was considered part of the “upper crust” by others, or not.

             Many phrases which we use today have culinary connections, and the origins of some of them are offered below.

The Upper Crust

When discussing society, the expression “upper crust” comes from medieval times when the great crusted meat pies were served from the top of the Lord of the Manor’s dining table on down. Obviously, the gentry got first choice of the crisp, flaky crust, while those seated at the foot of the table were more apt to get the soggy, under crust.


Above the Salt

In the banqueting hall of the baronial castle, the nobility sat at the head of the great T-shape table with the “Lord and Master,” while the first cousins, second cousins, and so on, dwindled into the distance down the table. At the point of demarcation which set apart the landed gentry from the common serfs, was placed a “great standing salt,” or "ceremonial salt." It was passed from there, up the table; if you sat “below the salt,” you were not only “not worth your salt,” but you did not get any.


Humble Pie

In England, this “pie” was made from “umbles” — the heart, the liver, and the gizzard of a deer. When the huntsman brought back the kill, the Lord of the Manor and his guests feasted on venison. The huntsman and the servants, being of inferior rank, had of necessity, to be satisfied with “humble pie.” — Sources: A variety of authors including Patricia Easterbrook Roberts and Judith Visser

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette Humor and Trade

"She sold a book and now wants to invite some lowly tradespeople into our home for a party!" — "Tradesmen" were those people in society who made money by working. Their social status was lower, and without title, even though many of these might have been more wealthy than those in the gentry. Clergymen and barristers filled the upper ranks of this social class, with merchants, farmers and shopkeepers making up the lower ranks.

Not the Daughter of a "Tradesperson"

One of the young men attached to the American embassy at Berlin tells a story to illustrate that modern advertising can cope even with the etiquette of Royal Courts.

"A young American woman wished to be presented at the Court of the King of Saxony. The high officials, having inquired into her social standing at home, objected. They represented to her that the King could scarcely receive the daughter of a retail boot seller. 

The young woman cabled home and told her father of the situation. The next morning she received his answer: 'Can't call it selling. Practically giving them away. See advertisement.'

That solved the difficulty. She was presented to the King as the daughter of an 'eminent philanthropist.'" — Harper's Weekly, 1912

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Moderator and Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia