Not Just the Tudors
How to Run a Stuart Household
Feb 24, 2025
Dr. Kimberley Connor, a historical archaeologist and food historian, joins Professor Suzannah Lipscomb to explore Stuart-era recipe books. They discuss Margaret Baker's 1675 collection, revealing how these texts were vital for sharing medicinal and culinary knowledge. The conversation highlights women's pivotal roles in domestic spheres and culinary practices of the time, emphasizing the recipes’ rich social contexts. They also examine how these books served as educational resources, connecting women across different social strata and reflecting their adaptations during crises.
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Quick takeaways
- The 17th-century recipe books, like Margaret Baker's, reveal women's crucial roles in managing household needs through knowledge in cooking and medicinal practices.
- Baker's extensive handwritten recipe collection highlights the significance of women's contributions to domestic knowledge and the historical context of their literacy and social networks.
Deep dives
The Multifaceted Nature of 17th Century Recipe Books
In the 16th and 17th centuries, recipe books served as extensive compendiums of knowledge beyond cooking, encompassing areas such as medicine, household management, and beauty treatments. These collections reflect the domestic roles of women as they navigated tasks ranging from cooking and distillation to health remedies and cleaning techniques. For instance, Margaret Baker's recipe books included not only culinary delights but also medicinal recipes for ailments such as a cure for the plague and remedies for common health issues. This diverse content highlights the women’s pivotal role in managing household needs and their contributions to medicinal practices during a time when formal medical care was often inaccessible.
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