Christopher Monk

Fishing rights in Rochester

After filming for a children’s TV programme, Dr Monk explains how Henry I stepped in to protect the fishing rights in the River Medway.

There’s a new page on my website

I’m adding my translations of excerpts of medieval texts about food.

In my new garden in Derby

Three plants in my new garden have an interesting medieval food history. I explore their culinary and medicinal uses.

‘Gravy’ in England 700 years ago

What exactly was gravy in England during the 1300s?

Includes my new recipe, Chicken in Gravy.

Shining a light on… chickpeas

The humble chickpea was quite the thing in Richard II’s court! In this post, you’ll find a potted history of this legume in medieval England, as well as links to two of my recipes.

Turnips for a King: Excoriating the soul with a dash of elegance

Did Richard II of England really eat turnip pottage?

In this post, I provide: a potted history of the turnip in medieval England; several reasons why Richard II would have eaten turnip pottage; a translation of the first English recipe of turnip pottage; and my own, new recipe based on this.

Christmas Caudle

This is a wonderful Christmas drink! You’ll fine my easy-to-follow, modern-medieval recipe, based on one from the early fifteenth-century.

Parkinson’s Diagnosis

An update on my health.

Shining a light on… great raisins

Who would have thought that the subject of medieval raisins would be so complex? In this post, I explore the use of ‘great raisins’ in Richard II’s cookery book, and ask if we can identify them.

Tart of Brie in Lent, a fishy alternative?

In revisiting an old edited title of a medieval recipe, I end up exploring how a recipe for a fruit and fish pie might actually make good culinary sense.