THis is Anglocentric.
Different countries in Europe had different customs.
E.G. Scandinavia had enough wildlife relative to population, everybody was allowed to hunt.
Villagers in Central Europe used to share meat. Somebody in village slaughtered pig or cow, the whole village had a feast. That way they could eat the whole animal before it spoiled. As the hosts circulated, it evened out. And even the poorest got some! Provided you were not an asocial!
Horse meat was readily consumed. Donkeys in South. Pigeons.
Otters were allowed as fish substitute Friday (they taste like fish)
On Saint Martin day, there was obligatory fattened goose.
The goose was force fed months before, until it was so obese that it could barely move. I heard from grandpa that it was a great feast! Too bad, nobody has the time now to force feed a goose! Or it may be an animal abuse?
THis is Anglocentric.
Different countries in Europe had different customs.
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AZ, you might be correct to a degree. However, much in this piece would definitely comport with readings from medieval France and Central Europe. There are some good contemporaneous accounts from Troyes, France, as well as from Poland. Meat was difficult to come by for the average man.
“Fat Tuesday” was a BIG deal for many families, not because the fast of Lent is coming, but because they got to eat all the meat and rich foods they had been able to scavenge the previous months of winter.
Thanks for your post.