Funny Valentines
About strange customs. And the food traditions that go with them.
You may have noticed that Valentine’s Day is coming up. Some might say it’s just an invention of the international florist guild, but I don’t think so. For me, Valentine’s Day is one of the occasions each year when I think about the people I love and tell them that I do.
This year we have a special occasion on February 14th, because it marks also the end of the Carnival season here. The fools take over the town halls for a day and cut the ties of the mayor and the local government officials. Funny custom, really.
But another custom traditionally associated with carnival is the freedom to dress up as someone else. Back in the day, this was something of an anomaly, because in the ancient high cultures, right through the Middle Ages and into the 17th century, there were a lot of strict laws that made this very behavior punishable. So only people from noble backgrounds and the royal courts were allowed to wear precious materials on their clothing and, well, ‘look noble’. This was intended to make a distinction in cases where wealthy merchants and other noveau riche people could or wanted to dress ‘as if’.
Along with the ‘Sumptuary Laws’ to clarify dress rights, there were also some rules about what you should and could (officially) eat. So there were expensive spices, exotic fruits, lots of wine, and anything else that required extensive use of land and other resources, such as wheat, sugar confectionery, cattle and plenty of game from private forests for the king and his favorites. On the other hand, there was barley, oats, vegetables like turnips and beets or cabbage, poultry and fish for the common people. And even medical theories that eating like a noble would harm a commoner (they may not have been entirely wrong about that).
But, of course, the constant feasting of the upper class had a downside, as one was supposed to fast from the last evening (or night) feast until the next noon. Only children, women, the elderly, and the sick – or people who actually did physical labor (which was really most people in those days) – were allowed to ‘break(the)fast’.
Which brings me back to Carnival (‘Fasching’ or ‘Fasnacht’ around here), because this tradition was also originally associated with fasting before Easter. The big party before you take down your belt a notch. Which is true in the first case, not so much in the second (hardly any fasting today). And that is what happened with those strange sumptuary laws. They probably never worked very well either. “Don’t wear that. It is not appropriate!” Yeah, … I’ve gotten to know a lot of teenagers – myself included – who didn’t pay attention to such things.
And, of course, the same goes for the two meal routine. Even though we eat pretty much like royalty these days, we wouldn’t want to give up our beloved breakfast, would we?
Which brings me back to the traditions at hand: Enjoy the party royally. Eat some good food.
And maybe bake a cake for that special someone.
On the other hand, there was barley, oats, vegetables like turnips and beets or cabbage, poultry and fish for the common people. And even medical theories that eating like a noble would harm a commoner (they may not have been entirely wrong about that).
Side Notes:
- As I mentioned before, I came across some extraordinary facts about the Middle Ages and their customs while researching for my ingredient special on mustard [‘Shades of Amber‘] in January. And again, I have to thank Wikipedia for their wonderful introduction to the subject, which led the way to further research. You guys are great, thanks!
- Speaking of ‘Funny Valentines’: There is this wonderful jazz tune by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart (from the musical ‘Babes in Arms’ which opened on Broadway in the spring of 1937): “You make me smile with my heart …” (I love you).