Fish

Fish were common food on the medieval table. This was largely due to the Roman Catholic Church’s decree that the people could not eat meat during Lent and on Fridays (and Saturdays and Wednesdays until late in the medieval period).

Caviar

• True caviar is the salted roe (eggs) of the female sturgeon.
• Caviar was invented by the Jews in Italy during the Middle Ages.
• The word caviar originates from the Turkish khavyar, first appearing in English print in 1591.
• The British kings of the middle ages reserved all the sturgeon for their own consumption.

Eels

• Eels were commonly available in England during the summer months.

River Fish

• Perch, trench, and roach were commonly eaten in England on meatless ("fysshe") days.

Ocean Fish

• Unless one lived near the ocean, ocean fish was only available salted and dried.

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