Food For All Seasons

On Wednesday we had a good audience for the official opening of Wakefield Museum's new temporary exhibition - Food For All Seasons.

The exhibition uses documentary evidence to explore the seasonal availability of food in 14th century Wakefield - and compares it to what is available now. Looking at food shortages, and their effects on the body, medieval farming, storage and feasting, the exhibition is full of stunning medieval images and exciting objects - even including a reconstruction of the Sandal Castle larder!

In particular, for the first time, the exhibition brings together on display loans of documents including the Wakefield Manor Court Rolls, Graves' Accounts and a beautifully illuminated Book of Hours.

The 'Summer' section of the exhibition - exploring medieval farming and displaying tools from Sandal Castle

The 'Winter' section looks at feasting, and displays a range of medieval tableware from Sandal Castle

Medieval documents are 'brought to life' by a pair of talking heads

The exhibition displays some beautiful medieval objects

Visitors were entertained by medieval musician, Peter Bull - here seen playing the hammered dulcimer.

Medieval music at the entrance of the exhibition

The exhibition also includes seasonal recipe cards to take away - including a medieval recipe, and a medieval-inspired recipe from Create Cafe.  Visitors to the opening were treated to samples of Create's recipes in the cafe - and very popular they were too!

Visitors enjoying the medieval-inspired recipes from Create

Food For All Seasons is the third exhibition from You Are What You Ate: Food Lessons From the Past - a project run in partnership between the University of Leeds, the University of Bradford and Wakefield Council, funded by a Wellcome Trust Society Award.  The exhibition runs until the 29th September.

The project includes free talks, workshops and activities.  For information of forthcoming events, see the project website.