Feeding a Templar Knight

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Recipe
Boar Tenderloin
Equal parts wine and water for boiling
1 thick slice of bread without crust
1 ¼ cups white wine
¼ cup red wine
1 teaspoon ginger
2 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of saffron threads
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (optional)
1. Heat olive oil in a pot then sear the boar on all sides. Remove it from the pot and boil equal parts wine and water, then add the boar back in and boil, covered, for 10-15 minutes or until fully cooked. Then let it rest.
2. To make the sauce, mix the spices and white wine. Separately, soak the bread in water for a few hours, then pour in the red wine. Strain the bread/wine into a saucepan, then press the bread through the strainer. Add the spiced wine mixture and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 15 minutes, or until half reduced, then add the sugar and salt, and if you with, a tablespoon of red wine vinegar. Simmer until thickened.
3. Slice the boar and pour the sauce over it. Serve with roasted chestnuts.
LINKS TO SOURCES**
Le Viandier de Taillevent: amzn.to/3FWD7FS
Le Ménagier de Paris: amzn.to/3fKgyt0
The Primitive Rule of the Templars by Bernard de Clairvaux: amzn.to/3ItxiRY
The Templars by Dan Jones: amzn.to/3qOIlin
**Some of the links and other products that appear on this video are from companies which Tasting History will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Each purchase made from these links will help to support this channel with no additional cost to you. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
Subtitles: Jose Mendoza | IG @worldagainstjose
Music: Crusade - Video Classica by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
#tastinghistory #knightstemplar

[@TastingHistory]

Templar should be pronounced TEM-pler, but sometimes I say tem-PLAR when I read it. Don’t do what I do 🤣

[@Firegen1]

Some days pronunciation goes well. Some knights it doesn't.

[@jaydoubleyew]

I like saying tem-PLAR. I know it's wrong, but... TemplARRR. Like pirates, only knights!

[@tylerboyce4081]

If anything, it's nice propaganda for the Assassins. 😁

[@Terrelli9]

@@Firegen1 😂

[@beepboop204]

either way we know you mean the Poor Knights of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon

[@lauraw2526]

"Wash their hands before eating, wash table before putting food on it, those working outside not allowed to touch food..." Huh, I think I can guess why they lived longer than the average person...

[@horacegentleman3296]

It usually boils down to very basic hygiene.

[@King_Flippy_Nips]

@@horacegentleman3296 no just that, they were some of the wealthiest people in the world at the time so being able to afford fresh clean water and food as well as their active lifestyle played a large part of it and they all were nobles of some sort which means they had good genes due to epigenetics

[@MrPh30]

FDA in rhe 13th Century .

[@Valiastice]

Sounds like my grandma wrote these rules lmao

[@MurdersMachine]

Hygiene has little to do with health. I hiked across the US last year, taking just under 6 months to go the 2650 miles. I spent weeks at a time without soap, just rinsing off in whatever body of water I came to. The only time I ever got sick was food poisoning after I went into town to a Chinese buffet. Hygiene has more to do with personal comfort than health. Wash your ass so you don't get chafing. Wash your hands so you don't get grimy sticky things all over you. Most of our views about modern day hygiene comes from neurotic hypochondriacs, and not from scientifically backed logic or rationale.

[@PaulSkySwitzer]

I love the confidence that animals were drawn in these books by people who had clearly never seen one in person.

[@Goldenkitten1]

To be fair if that "lion" came after me I'd be far more afraid than of the real thing.

[@lucastradella9197]

I had to do a double take for that “badger” at 1:11 “So there’s this animal called a badger, it’s got a long face, fur, uh… four legs…” “How about its color?” “I think there’s some white in there somewhere.” “Any distinguishing pattern?” “Maybe? Put like some spots, that seems right.”

[@emilymoran9152]

The one that's especially weird is the badger. Badgers are well-known European animals, not something exotic like a crocodile...and yet whoever drew the one referenced here clearly thought they were a type of dog.

[@bobdole8830]

That's the humanities for you.

[@lasagnasux4934]

@@emilymoran9152 they were like "I don't need to go outside and find one. It's like a weasel but bigger, like a dog"

[@Just_Pele]

I shot a wild hog this week, they're legal to hunt at any time of the year in my state, because they're an invasive and destructive species, and this one was destroying my wife's flower garden. So I came back to this video for your recipe, since we now have an abundance of fresh pork. We ate it with armored turnips and a spinach salad, and it was fantastic.

[@poopee34]

dont eat that shit do you know how many parasites are in that meat lol

[@Just_Pele]

@@poopee34 You do realize mankind has been hunting and eating wild animals for millions of years, right? 😆

[@immortalsnail8101]

People who say that hunting animals is wrong clearly forgot why their relatives survived over the years

[@_jaegerboy_]

@@immortalsnail8101 fr, technology and internet has blinded them to the point THEY FORGOT they're an actual Apex Predator that hunt other animal for survival

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

With wild animals make sure to cook them thoroughly. Don't want to catch any worms or other passengers.

[@rodneyferris4089]

The napkin on Good Friday was considered the napkin in the Holy Sepulchre, so they would not use the napkins until after Easter Vigil. Also they would not be seated for their bread and water as this was a sign of penitence and mourning. The Cistercians, today’s Trappists followed similar observances during Holy Week. In my day even the younger monks would remove their shoes and stockings in the house during the Triduum. As well as Ash Wednesday.

[@brianvogel1337]

This certainly surrounds correct and not something I at least would ever have expected. I wonder though if a subsidiary aspect is humility in the sense that a napkin like all cloth in the middle ages was scarce and surprisingly expensive (women are shown, accurately, spinning all the time to make the first stage produce in clothes production, so you can imagine how limited the supply was). Expensive and hence also a class symbol. Dropping napkins on good friday would serve the same purpose as the hostility to hunting and to (aristocratic) falconry.

[@BjornTuroc2112]

My first thought was that the prohibition on using napkins on Good Fridays had something to do with the Catholic tradition that St. Veronica wiped the blood and sweat off Jesus’ face while He was carrying the cross, but I agree, your explanation makes more sense.

[@AdenMocca]

Certainly sounds legit - I was thinking it could have been related to the cloth used to wipe Christ's face leaving his face upon it while he carried the cross.

[@the_fatmoron6702]

Even as a Catholic, the random lore that we have never ceases to amaze me

[@t.j.armendariz354]

Makes sense, though I might also speculate it was compounded by the fact Christ was stripped naked on the Cross, and so foregoing additional coverings

[@odoylerules360]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="624">10:24</a> That specifically means "Don't try to throw food into someone else's mouth, no matter how much he thinks he can totally catch it." I love that they had to make a rule specifically forbidding that, because that is exactly the sort of thing that a bunch of 15- to 20-something soldiers would do, medieval or otherwise.

[@stevemadden3642]

We literally did that in the military, it’s like Roman soldiers drawing dicks on everything, something timeless

[@alexkaplan6581]

@@stevemadden3642 Hadrian's wall, now with authentic graffiti.

[@skrimper]

@@stevemadden3642 Rome was really ahead of it's time

[@jlshel42]

They wouldn't make a rule if someone hadn't done it.

[@fjccommish]

I was a lot older than that when I was a Knight Templar.

[@alarin612]

"The most fearsome warriors in Europe and they were treated like children." I cannot express how true that rings for soldiers today ...

[@albertofernandez2490]

Once I've heard a marine seargant saying: If you lock up in a room a group of marines with three anvils, after 30 minutes one anvil would be broken, one pregnant and one missing.

[@alarin612]

@@albertofernandez2490 "Soldiers are great children." --Capitain de Treville, to D'artagnan in The Three Musketeers. As true then as it's always been.

[@sheezy2526]

Yes only the dumb childish ones can be brainwashed with all these heroic BS and nationalist ideologies. Even now in USA soldiers go to war to protect interests of rich oil companies.

[@alarin612]

@@sheezy2526 and look great doing it.

[@MurdersMachine]

@@sheezy2526 Only stupid, lazy people think the US sends its forces around the globe for oil. We have massive oil reserves in the US already, and the world is shifting off of fossil fuels. So, fighting expensive wars overseas doesn't make sense if it's just for oil. This isn't a very difficult thing to figure out. Even a child is capable of this logic. You just have an ego investment into some sort of anti-US sentiment.

[@drpureinsanity]

It's amazing how sophisticated they were considering hygiene, that's what probably helped them live slightly longer.

[@Gutslinger]

I vaguely think there's a few verses in the Old Testament about cleaning or washing with running water, long before we even knew about germs. They weren't even doing that in the Civil War era.

[@drpureinsanity]

@@Gutslinger I believe they were in Rome with their aqueducts.

[@drpureinsanity]

@Prasanth Thomas no aqueducts existed in Rome, in Jerusalem too. But what I said still stands. Thanks for the pointless policing of my comment though.

[@killerkraut9179]

I doubt it was that special!

[@nathanrichmondhoag1021]

Learned from Muslim practices. They probably shunned pork as it couldn't be preserved.

[@FirstLast-zv5od]

When I lived in Germany I went to a castle and displayed there was a suit of armor from back then. A notable feature, other than it being short, was that it had long pointy toes. Very long.

[@RadishTheFool]

I googled around a bit for the history of napkins, and found several possible answers as to why they may not have been used on fast days. Note that this was a very cursory search, so more of a starting point for further thought and/or research than actual answers: 1. At certain points in the middle ages, napkins were actually large and communal. Those larger napkins could cover a large part of a table, and be quite ornamental. So it could be that they were not permitted on fast days because it would make the table look too festive and fancy. 2. Napkins could also be used to give privilege to certain people at the table, by giving them their own napkins where the rest had to share. These were actually laid out on the table (a bit like a placemat I imagine). Again, these could also be decorated. So perhaps such a distinction of ranks was not permitted during fast days. 3. Napkins became less common the more widely forks were used. They were actually quite needed before that, if one did not want to wipe their food-stained on their clothes. I can imagine an order wearing white not wanting to do so. However, if only bread and water were served, these napkins should maybe not be needed. So it could be a practical rule, or one that made it more difficult to sneakily eat some more palatable food.

[@giovanniserafino1731]

If not mistaken, the use of napkins was not prohibited on fasts days, but specifically on Good Friday .

[@fedra76it]

Well done!

[@RadishTheFool]

@@giovanniserafino1731 Ah sorry, thank you for pointing out what it's supposed to be. 🤗

[@richardrybicki749]

In simple terms because it's a handmade item that is not a necessary on Good Friday you're supposed to be as pious I believe the word is so there's no frills or fluff which would also eliminate the need for a napkin you're basically experiencing poverty to keep you humble to Jesus

[@IONATVS]

@@giovanniserafino1731 Yup, as Good Friday was and is the most solemn fasting day of the year, strictures against excesses were considerably stricter than usual.

[@RaptorJesus]

That "not repair his sword without permission, change his stirrup" and so on just sounds like an old-timey way to describe modern Army rules, specifically "hey grunt, don't screw with your rifle, you don't know what you're doing, you'll f' it up, give it to the armorer".

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

Also remeber Medieval Knights aren't known for Disipline, Medieval Armies are less like professional armies but more like Posies, with varying degrees of discipline and expertism. The Orders are more able to discipline themselves than most but most of the medieval armies units aren't as disciplined

[@antonioyeats2149]

When my folks were in the u.s. army basic firearm maintenence and repair is something they were expected to do

[@RaptorJesus]

@@antonioyeats2149 Firearms, while more complex than a sword, are also relatively simple to perform basic maintenance on. My example was more along the lines of serious repair. Getting a good edge on a sword isn't trivial, and if you do it wrong you're likely to just end up with little more than a fancy steel bar.

[@antonioyeats2149]

@@RaptorJesus yeah you can definitely go wrong with blade care, but if you know what you're doing and got the right shit in your shop it's really not a huge deal. I wonder if it comes down the knights not being the ones who own the grinders and what not or maybe a clearance issue 🤔 like if you ever work at a factory with in house maintenance, maintenance personnel are the only ones allowed in the shop.

[@ninamundy2930]

I just made this using deer backstrap and my husband was apprehensive about the sauce but as soon as I reduced it and served it with the meat, he was in love. Thanks for yet another amazingly historic and delicious recipe.

[@TheOldBlackShuckyDog]

A video on the hospitallers cuisine could be interesting seeing as their line of work included caring for the sick, usually when looking at their sources by means of a specific diet!

[@jennypaxton8159]

The Hospitallers were mainly just involved with housing and caring for people (particularly pilgrims) generally; we think of “hospital” as a place where sick people go, but it’s the same root word as “hospitality”. During the Crusades, the word “hospital” just would have been “a place to receive hospitality”. It could be for the sick, but didn’t have to be.

[@savioblanc]

​@@jennypaxton8159I mean sort of but in the case of the Knight Hospitallers, it literally began as a hospital that specifically treated sick, poor and injured pilgrims who arrived into the Holy Land. In 2013, Israeli archaeologists even excavated a massive hospital run by the order, which could house around 2000 patients, had various wings that dealt with specific ailments, had both male and female patients cared for and even provided food for patients, various accounts even mentioning kosher food prepared for Jewish patients. Some knights who decided to protect and defend the hospital would eventually become the Knights Hospitaller Order. But it definitely began as an actual functioning hospital.

[@FoxyfloofJumps]

@@savioblanc That is something I can get behind. Caring for the sick, and feeding travelers. I've always wanted my own small restaurant. But it's far safer in a large group of cooks and caregivers back in those days.

[@TheRealTorG]

I can't believe that the templars got lunch detention, that's hilarious.

[@jennypaxton8159]

For tons of reasons, too; the Rule of the Temple lists them. Probably there would rarely be a meal where at least one person wasn’t sitting on the floor in detention.

[@joharakiri]

"Um Sir, I saw Jeffrey kiss his mom right on the cheek." "I've had it with you, Jeffrey! You get a timeout this lunch!" * sad sounds of plate armor shuffling to the next room *

[@NazriB]

Lies again? UFC SILAT Last Supper

[@BrazilianImperialist]

​@@joharakiriJust a single account wasn't enough

[@Goldenkitten1]

The Weekly Roundabouts of Father Superior "How many heathens did you slay today?" "Four, father." "Devilish sinner! How many does the lord demand for food?!" *Sighs* "Five, father." "To the CELL with you!" "Did...did you just tighten your belt without asking?!" "Uhhhhhhh, mayb-" "I CAST THEE OUT SATANS SPAWN! To. the. CELL!" "What did you just do?!" "Uh, saved a woman from bandits?" "And DARED to say 'hello' in the process?!" "I was just-" "Do you not know that women are Satans cattle?! THE CELLLLLLLLLLL!"

[@Dreymasmith]

The whole washing thing - of hands and table, and not touching food if you've been working outside - would go a long way to accounting for the slightly extended life span of the Knights Templar.

[@tertiaritus]

For real, it's revolutionary by medieval standards

[@theshadowling1]

@@tertiaritus Nope, it's incredibly normal for medieval standards. Regular hand washing before eating was normal, and all surfaces in a house were cleaned, nearly daily. Remember, filthiness is a sign of slovenliness, as well as a sign of sin and miasma. It was normal for the hands and face to be cleaned at least three times a day, though other parts of the body it would be closer to once a week.

[@gameygeemer4142]

Before the Black Death hygiene was actually a fucking HUGE part of medieval etiquette.

[@bobbyflobby7523]

No soap yet though.

[@theshadowling1]

@@bobbyflobby7523 Soap was fairly common, though used mainly for the washing of linens and in baths, because it was lye soap, and if used directly on skin would cause irritation and slight burns. You'd wash your hands in hot water before meals and after meals.

[@Aaedion]

My oldest known relative was in fact a Templar during the second crusade, and I always wondered what life may have been during those times so thanks for the video

[@entomologistmaximus5097]

Really? That's so cool, god I hope I have someone from the templar, they are by far my favorite historical armies

[@jennypaxton8159]

If he was an ancestor, he must have been doing some naughty things! (Unless he already had kids before he joined up, I guess.) It’s so cool you know that; the farthest I know my family tree goes back to the 1700s.

[@Aaedion]

@@jennypaxton8159 all I know about him was that he was a Templar. However I am a bit Jewish 😬

[@flaviobicaku2620]

​@@Aaedionmay I ask how did u manage to trace him? I always want to trace my ancestors but don't know how

[@Aaedion]

@@flaviobicaku2620 I don’t know myself, it was my mother who had the test done on herself.

[@danilobakovic]

Easily my favourite cooking and history channel on the platform. Thank you good sir for the research and the knowledge you are sharing.

[@TastingHistory]

Thank you 😊

[@danilobakovic]

@@TastingHistory You are very welcome!

[@hondolane7929]

I‘m from Bavaria and it’s said back in the day they led pigs into the water before butchering because if it comes out of the water it‘s fish and so they could eat meat during Lenten season. Not sure if this is true, but we are known for this kind of shenanigans, so probably yes😅

[@danielf.7151]

no wonder they had no problem with so many days of fasting

[@danyks4847]

that's a great story!, the idea of that practice is to "purify" the animal with water (as in a baptism), pig is considered a "non pure animal", so it "turns into fish" because fish is the symbol of Christ (the famous Greek "ichthus") it becomes "pure". the Greek term “baptism” means "to immerse". all this hellenic terms came about because the new testament is written in greek, so the christian language is greek, all this happens in a hellenic context, the main audience were hellenes/greeks and israelites Water has the symbolism of chaos but also cleansing, think of the flood story, other example: "The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues" Revelations 17:18

[@stayniftyGuyFaceMannPersonDude]

@@danielf.7151 I love when humans bend and break their own pointless rules lol.

[@src3360]

@@stayniftyGuyFaceMannPersonDude Yes!! Seems less messy too

[@jeffb.140]

Here in Swabia, on Fridays we just wrap the meat in dough, so God doesn't see it!

[@Mark723]

Half a nutmeg! Townsends must be immediately informed of this recipe...

[@CynBH]

Definitely not a recipe for the average person. Only the wealthy could afford that much nutmeg.

[@stevensmith688]

@@CynBH Well the Templars were the prominent medieval bank of Christendom so I’m sure they could afford it.

[@GiselleMFeuillet]

Had I not found this comment, I would have made it myself.

[@basilofgoodwishes4138]

Isn't Nutmeg poisonous in such large quantities? Maybe one half of a Nutmeg is enough, but I am not sure. Can someone help me explain?

[@GiselleMFeuillet]

@@basilofgoodwishes4138 large quantities is relative. Eating the equivalent of an entire nutmeg in one go is probably not a good idea, but after being grated and diluted in the sauce, the effect is minimal (unless you're allergic to it).

[@joshuasill1141]

Going back to Max's question of "Is it worth it?" Well, considering your options of not joining the Order of Solomon aka the Knight's Templar were pretty bleak if you weren't born into a high family. A lot of the rules they had were strict and seem childish but there is a method to the madness. First: was to instill discipline, pride, class, and esprit de corps into all in training since they came from any class system, though to be an actual knight you'd have to already been knighted prior to joining the Templars. Those who weren't actual knights were farmers, blacksmiths, masons, carpenters, ordained priests, and everyone in between who fought along side the knights as light cavalry and foot soldiers. Second: all those rules developed muscle memory when times became hard or they were off fighting in the Holy Lands. When food and water became scarce you could handle rationing and not waste it. Or if you couldn't follow simple rules in peace, how could you follow orders in battle. That kind of stuff. Third: they were a religious order. They firmed believed in atoning for their sins and following these rules of deprivation helped them achieve that. It's not much different from the Franciscan, Benedictine, Jesuit, Dominicans, Knights Hospitaller, Order of St. James, the Teutonic Knights, and other religious orders followed. The Templars also referred to themselves as the Poor Knights of Christ so they led a life of poverty, which some of those rules reinforced. Last: some of these rules kept politics and influence out of the the Templars. Those Templars coming from royal or influential families would've been separated from them. With no contact those families couldn't gain influence over the Templars, and those members couldn't gain standing within the Templars because of who their families were. Food looks delicious though.

[@feliciaf8]

make sense

[@PistolSovereign]

literally the Jedi Order

[@oneinathousand2156]

@@PistolSovereignit does seem like Order 66 might have been slightly inspired by the purging of the Templars.

[@rosemortem5820]

I love the different Pokemon plushies in the background. History, food, and Pokemon, definitely a man of culture

[@MariaMartinez-researcher]

A word on Templars being treated as children. Theological librarian here. All monastic orders follow the rules of poverty, chastity and obedience. (How - and how much - has been a matter of discussion since Early Middle Ages). Anyway. Being treated as a child was a test of obedience. A monk or nun had to be *absolutely* obedient. There are plenty of examples of people being tested in their obedience to a degree of absurdity in the biographies of many saints who were monks or nuns. The Jesuits, who were founded by a former soldier have (had, more on that later) the same kind of discipline, expressed in an old Latin saying: perinde ac cadaver. You left yourself be dealt with as if you were a dead body. Perfect obedience. Well. That has changed, even in the most old and traditional monastic orders, after a series of reformations post the Second Vatican Council in the 60s. I remember a frank talk with a young Carmelite monk (one of the strictest orders that are) telling us librarians how now they were treated as adults. No more the superiors reading or censoring communication with the family or the exterior world, no more absurd obedience tests, not even meddling in their intimate lives with questions like "have you taken care of your chastity, brother"? Still, poverty, chastity and obedience are the fundamental rules of monastic life. In this modern world, they are lived in a more sensible, adult way. They are not enforced on the monks/nuns anymore, but it is expected from them to be responsible of themselves, ask for guidance and help when in trouble or doubt, repent, confess and strive for improvement when trespassing the rules. It wasn't easy in the Middle Ages, it is harder now. Sanctity is the goal. It isn't the same as perfection.

[@vickiekostecki]

If you read modern accounts of people (usually women) who have been in orders and then left, they almost always talk about this sort of infantilisation of behaviour. Not being able to get something repaired without permission was down to it technically being property of the order. You hear stories of them being reprimanded if they refer to 'my shoes' or 'my towel' when they should be saying 'our' shoes or towel.

[@MariaMartinez-researcher]

@@vickiekostecki Oh, yes. Old habits die hard. And even harder in female orders. But that one points more at poverty than obedience. You own nothing, not even your shoes. Perfect poverty. At least, in your mindset.

[@mnels5214]

I think there is a dimension of obedience (maybe more independent minded, but still) and common purpose mentality in modern military also, not exactly the same but it is easy to see where they were coming from with these rules.

[@niinakurko9241]

The exact same thing came to my mind when Max mentioned it! I saw a wonderful video of orthodox monk speaking of the same subject. An interesting look inside the monastic mind and also very valuable teachings. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqbFdYCvhL6UrpI

[@Sleeping_Insomiac]

"Have you taken care of your chastity, brother?" "I had brother Marcus over to help me with that, brother superior. He has quite the hand for it."

[@lessonswithlilly2004]

Thank you SO much for mentioning how infant mortality led to lower average lifespans. So many people assume EVERY person died before 30, but channels like yours are helping debunk that myth!! - a fellow history nerd

[@margueritereed5035]

THIS

[@christopheferraux2864]

Hello from France exact when I did my research in geanology I realized that in the seventeenth and eighteenth century there was a huge mortality before 6 years old once past this age people reach 70 or even 80 years old .. except the men on the side of my father who was barely 60 years old because he was glassblowers and blowing glass for over 30 years must have seriously damaged the lungs, women when they lived much older as well as men exercise other professions.

[@Sam-lm8gi]

I never understood how people could believe such a preposterous myth, as if living in ancient times was like living in Logan's Run or something. Especially when so many famous people in history were clearly old as dirt. If anything (child mortality aside) we probably have a shorter average lifespan today with the masses of junk food gobbling couch potatoes.

[@christophervennix9861]

Yep, its a hugely common misconception that because the average life expectancy was so low that a person would be old and expecting to die by 30. A better measure is the average lifespan which accounts for how long people are actually living. Even in the middle ages people were still living well into their 80's - it was just so many people were dying young that the average was held down. A simpler way I've heard it put is as of the signing of the US declaration of independence the average life expectancy was around 40 years. However, the average age of the people who signed the declaration was 66 and more than one quarter of them lived past 80.

[@QuantumFerret]

Particularly men-at-arms and those above them in the aristocracy, tended to have a very nutritious diet, were physically fit, and if they weren’t, you know, killed in battle, had a pretty good chance of living a long life. Plenty of military aristocrats were campaigning and fighting into their fifties and sixties - not unlike the ancient Romans, who considered a man’s martial prime to be his 50s.

[@IamBoaz]

"Accountabilibuddy System" I'm keeping that. That's bloody brilliant wordsmithing. Well done, Cookie!

[@thepeacefish]

Max I feel like “Commander of the Vittles” needs to be one of your Patreon tiers

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

I love that

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

Looks absolutely delicious! Thank you! "...half a nutmeg..." In a cabin in the woods, Jon Townsend's ears perk up.

[@druid_zephyrus]

A fellow of culture

[@elizabetha2601]

Don’t forget Justine in her cabin

[@glassfireactual9207]

Lol i thought about this

[@BuckmeisterSupremeWithCheese]

Most fearsome warriors of an age, treated like children. Max, lemme tell you 'bout a little thing called the US Marines.

[@magnem1043]

These are just private rules today 💀

[@globalwarmhugs7741]

Or child soldiers everywhere on the planet?

[@BuckmeisterSupremeWithCheese]

@@globalwarmhugs7741 Way to make it dark, dude.

[@globalwarmhugs7741]

@@BuckmeisterSupremeWithCheese I thought you were making a point about that, sorry. Child soldiers are the most fearsome. You can't reason with a 7 year old... Trust me I've had three of em. 😊

[@RooftopsofAmerica]

Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. Semper Fi.

[@Smokedout33]

Just discovered this channel... my favorite two things.. HISTORY AND FOOD! Cant wait to show my wife!

[@crewded8630]

The napkin thing likely comes from the fact that in the liturgical rubrics of Good Friday, there is no Mass said and the altar is stripped of all linens, remaining bare for the only time in the entire liturgical calendar. They likely carried this over into the day in other activities as well.

[@seanpoore2428]

omg thank you for including the bit about infant mortality effecting the average lifespan! its a so often overlooked piece of the puzzle

[@ragnkja]

The median life span in 14th century England was 21 because so many people died as children. Yet octogenarians were not unheard of there either, they were just rare.

[@sailorknightwing]

On the other hand a lot of everyday injuries were significantly more fatal due to lack of good medical treatment. If you could manage an unnoteworthy life you'd live to about 60 but if you were injured on your farm at 35 there was a good chance you wouldn't live to 36. It wasn't *just* infant mortality, it was *everything* mortality.

[@1stCallipostle]

Having a 50/50 of not making it to age 10 really WOULD tank the numbers now wouldn't it

[@seanpoore2428]

@@sailorknightwing well yes but the common misconception is that "people didn't live past 40" like no it's alot more complicated than that lol just like the "people in the past were short" etc etc

[@seanpoore2428]

@@judeirwin2222 I'm sure I do lol in a paper I'd correct it

[@PhotonBeast]

Given the flavor profile, it amuses me that a knight templar transported to day might eat modern BBQ and be most pleased/feel like they were eating something somewhat familiar.

[@Immigrantlovesamerica]

Next time I bite on to a bbq rib, I will be eating like a Templar. Nobody better say anything

[@JOSEPH-vs2gc]

minus the buckets of high fructose syrup in everything, you're probably right.

[@TannyWanny]

poison with the sugar. @@JOSEPH-vs2gc

[@wendallfry1935]

"Maybe she was born with it, or MAYBE IT WAS CAMELINE!" I'm sorry, I'll find my way to the door. Love your content by the way. Glad to see more history people make content about food eaten throughout history

[@sabyasachibandyopadhyay8558]

I guess a lot of these regulations are pretty standard for an army. Even today’s armies have very stringent protocols which borderline micromanage a soldier’s behavior.

[@jinxhead4182]

About the "being treated like children", a lot of these seemingly arbitrary rules you find in most professional modern militaries. It all boils down to "unless you absolutely know what the hell you're doing, find the guy who is entrusted with that function and don't do it yourself". A lot of that equipment is expensive, and I can immagine it's mostly to make sure the inexperienced newcomers don't damage or mess up theirs or have it fail at really inconvenient times. Let's just conclude with: Read ANY standard military introductory manual, you'll see what I mean. They sound like they are written for 6-year olds. Just my 2 cents.

[@alexandravladmets8206]

I was thinking the same, I can just see the guy starting to fiddle with his swordbelt in full trott losing that expensive weapon and causing chaos in the lines haha It looks like their horses, wellbred and trained=so expensive, weapons and servants were assigned to them, so in a sense communaly owned, so NO you could not take the Tesla out for a spin whenever you wanted haha

[@Wolvenworks]

idiotproofing is central to the smooth running of any army, regardless of time. because at the end of the day, either someone's actually THAT stupid, or are doing that specific stupid thing out of a dare or some sorts.

[@aniquinstark4347]

@@Wolvenworks That's why claymores clearly state FRONT TOWARDS ENEMY on them

[@Wolvenworks]

@@aniquinstark4347 also the bit where they teach the recruits about gun safety. you bet your ass that there's at least one guy who's looking at the bore even though they're not the armorer. i guess in a way the soldiers that work with machines (eg: tanks and aircrafts) are by default smarter purely by virtue of that if they're not smart enough, they're probably already dead or heavily injured, and therefore usually knows what the hell they are doing. like, imagine an idiot on a plane.

[@plebisMaximus]

@@Wolvenworks Young men will always be young men, no matter how much time passes and how refined we think we are compared to those before us. They're not going to be the brightest. Source: I am a young man and I do dumb shit all the time, thinking I'm smarter than I really am.

[@williamburton757]

This guy: " you have the most fearsome warriors of medieval europe and they were treated like children." Every Marine Ever: "Some things never change."

[@mr.c6324]

yeah basically like that in every branch lmao atleast here in Finland too

[@Adamantium93]

War...war never changes.

[@williamburton757]

@sage so, you're a virgin.

[@Collinoeight]

Next up on Tasting History: Crayons from the 14th Century

[@Rakasha30]

Lol, military life is something I both hate but also miss now that I'm out.

[@loganchamberlain1388]

Your channel is amazing!! Perfect balance of food and history, I can’t stop watching all of your videos.

[@TastingHistory]

Thank you 🙏

[@mansiotempliparmensis1275]

Good job man, I appreciate how you explain historical accurate facts for the contextualisation of the recipes in a way that's really enjoyable for everyone 👍 and the Templar Rule is really a powerful source for understanding the daily life of the milites Christi, also during their meals

[@Tanya_LitLife]

Patiently awaiting new apron design: “Commander of the Vittles”

[@justinmorgan7564]

Hear here!

[@kirbyculp3449]

Victuals?

[@SnoDraken]

Yaz!!

[@atmosdwagon4656]

@@kirbyculp3449 Two different spellings for the same word. Either are correct in any case.

[@chiefkeef74]

I'LL BUY YOUR ENTIRE STOCK!

[@uria3679]

Marie Antoinette’s Bone Broth, it was one of the many foods that kept her looking like a 20 years old until she was sent to prison

[@DarkPatu]

Collagen is no joke for good skin.

[@TastingHistory]

Definitely on my to do list

[@DIEGhostfish]

Sent to prison and falsely accused of horrible crimes by people torturing her son, then executed. And even after the one who staged that false execution was himself executed by some other revolutionaries with slightly more conscience(Or possibly for unrelated reasons by people just as bad as he was) nobody had the heart to tell the boy she'd died and he went to his grave thinking she hated him and had abandoned him.

[@uria3679]

@@TastingHistory thank you

[@uria3679]

@@DIEGhostfish this what will happen if we let hatred take over

[@TheDirtyShaman]

Considering that the Elixir of Jerusalem contained hemp, it's likely that it had an anti-inflammatory effect, which most likely would have considerately prolonged your life during medieval times.

[@mitchellmullins6650]

I like these videos! 50% for the recipes, and 100% for the history part, plus Max is pretty funny.

[@cristianespinal9917]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="850">14:10</a>: "Here you have the most fearsome warriors of medieval Europe, and they were treated like children." U.S. Marines: "I guess some traditions run deep."

[@cristianespinal9917]

@Cynical Frenchface aye, Sir! Lol

[@ericdiesch7591]

In US Navy boot camp, we weren't allowed to talk when we ate. We had to use hand gestures.

[@cristianespinal9917]

@@ericdiesch7591 That's pretty awesome, just like the monks that took a vow of silence. We weren't allowed to talk in USMC boot chow halls either. But we almost never had enough time to eat. We'd usually shovel as much food into our mouths as fast as possible to try to clear our trays before being ordered to stop. It was usually loud enough that you could sneak in a few words to each other without getting caught.

[@albertofernandez2490]

@@cristianespinal9917 Once I've heard a marine seargant saying: If you lock up in a room a group of marines with three anvils, after 30 minutes one anvil would be broken, one pregnant and one missing.

[@A007991]

I forgot I was watching a cooking video and just got so wrapped up in the history. Excellent content!

[@TastingHistory]

😎 gotcha!

[@reallyhertv4566]

Eyyy, you got the biggest privilege

[@xsystem1]

there's no cooking part

[@jessicacanfield5058]

I do that too

[@TheNuckinFoob]

These are actuality incredibly fascinating. Thank you for sharing.

[@matthewrusche9506]

I've watched about 4 of your videos, now I've subscribed. I work as a Chef, but as intriguing as your recipes are, I think I enjoy your research and all the history you bring into each episode even more.

[@TastingHistory]

Thank you, Matthew. The history is definitely my favorite part 😁

[@Lauren.E.O]

Max: *talking about knights going on Crusade* The fans: *Wondering if that’s where he found the Holy Grail and became an immortal food history expert*

[@mr.simpleton4599]

Is that a Fate reference?

[@Lauren.E.O]

@@mr.simpleton4599 No, just a history theory.

[@carlramirez6339]

He chose wisely

[@anvime739]

I thought that we stablished that he is a vampire

[@aleisterlavey9716]

" Yeah, I remember, back then it was made with real meat... oh was it delicious..." " They ate meat back then? Like real meat from a living animal? "

[@DeZ556]

My guess about the no napkin on good Friday rule is to instill a sense of piety. Napkins are inherently worldly by virtue of them protecting your clothing and hands from stains etc. I think it was more symbolic if anything, but having no napkin could make someone eat more carefully and thus appreciate the sustenance more.

[@natemarcus5667]

Basically, from what "old scripture" states on Good Friday you are supposed to be reverent to the death of Jesus and therefore, if possible emanate his life as best a physically possible

[@mwater_moon2865]

Also, you weren't to supposed to take any food at all on Good Friday from sun up to sun down, so, you know napkins would kinda be a dead give-a-way you were cheating. Roman Catholics in good health today are still only supposed to have 1 small meal and no more than 2 snacks that do not total a meal on Good Friday unless too young, too old or pregnant.

[@XofHope]

Also, they were only eating bread and water. Wouldn't miss them much anyway.

[@jrnandreassen3338]

What about practical reasons? Napkins are for what was considered a full meal. It seems redundant in company of just water and wine.

[@snazzypazzy]

My thoughts went to the shrouds Jesus was wrapped in when he died. It's probably both linen. *shrugs*

[@infelixutero7284]

You mix history and cuisine, I'm truly impressed.

[@kuratan656]

I like how you covered many other topics aside from the meal itself. I enjoyed listening to the vid :))

[@mikepette4422]

sounds to me like their longer lives were a direct result of being a lot cleaner and eating well every meal whether it had meat or not ie they were eating a sufficient amount of calories every day to be strong enough to fight off diseases if their rigorous cleanliness wasn't enough

[@josephteller9715]

Improved hygiene makes a difference... and if all their tableware was copper/bronze rather than wood or pewter it would make a big difference. Pewter contains lead and can cause health issues, wood breeds bacteria over time when used daily. Copper/Bronze is anti-microbial and thus kills bacteria/germs. The Cooking style used (boiling, soaked in wine/vinegar) would help prevent Trichinosis, People can get this disease by eating raw or undercooked meat from animals infected with the parasite. Often these infected meats come from wild game, such as bear, or pork products. Boiling water of course helps remove bacteria etc. again. Not getting Dysentery when your water intake is boiled first makes a big difference in that time period (lots of people died from water borne diseases).

[@Leto_0]

I think most of the people we learn about in history were probably significantly wealthier than the average person

[@jamie_d0g978]

@@Leto_0 We know plenty of stuff about peasants too. And this kind of orders were really spartan in a lot of things so there's no big difference

[@varolussalsanclar1163]

Dont forget about the fasting. Its benefits are literally countless.

[@berelinde]

Very true! They ate as varied a diet as one could have before refrigeration, with plenty of protein, even on fast days, Good Friday excepted. They ate meat or fish every day, whereas most people got it once a week. The fact that they had designated cooks to prepare their food helped. Most people would build a fire, add some vegetables, water, and beans into the pot, and set it by the fire to cook all day while they were working, which made for a rather static diet which might lead to food poisoning if the fire went out and the food spoiled or the fava beans were undercooked. Monastic orders had people to cook the food and tend the fires, with far less risk of food poisoning.

[@AVeryDandyLad]

Did Cersei get to enjoy some boar? Heard she can't get enough of it after one killed Robert for her.

[@mbur1gess]

Great television - what an awesome series. Max you do an amazing job of making the history digestible even if the historical meals are not!

[@GunBreaux]

What's the source for 'Commander of the Vittles?' It amuses me to no end and I'd love to make a medieval style tavern shingle with that inscription.

[@SmoothTeeVee]

I believe it's spelled victuals actually.

[@lhfirex]

I imagine medieval wellness influencers telling people how getting burned at the stake is great for clearing your skin if you only do it a little.

[@catreese4515]

Or take the ashes and mix it into your favorite drink to help slim down.

[@kayerin5749]

(ladylike) "snort" !

[@Sleeping_Insomiac]

"One of the few proven remedies for the plague!"

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Well, it'd certainly clear your skin, in a sense.

[@geoffgreen2105]

@@Sleeping_Insomiac I fear not the plague, 'tis but a jape concocted by pagans to discredit the king! Now watch as I prove my fortitude and loyalty by rolling myself in this blanket covered with fleas. God will save me, for I am pure.

[@bon7029]

"You may not throw your lance without permission" Sir Yeetus: There's a filthy Pagan. I'm gonna... I mean, May I hurl mine lance at yonder filthy pagan? Sir Denius: No. You will run up to said pagan and skewer him. Sir Yeetus: But I always have trouble getting the blood out of my white clothes! Sir Denius: You're eating alone tonight for talking back to me.

[@jlshel42]

Sir Yeetus the Frustrated

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

It probably means don't attack without orders, Knights back then aren't exactly known for Disipline. There are tons of accounts of Knight just charging without orders just because (either out of frustration or because they just felt like it)

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

@@jlshel42 a perfect example of this was in the 3rd Crusade at the battle of Arsuf where the Hospitaliers broke ranks without orders to fight the Ayyubids under Saladin, though a victory for the Crusaders the Battle was never really planned.

[@afonphoenix394]

Running up on the Pagan should be no problem. They've tripped on their shoelaces.😂😂😂😂

[@orientof]

They didn't use Sir is a title

[@Panwere36]

I love how your videos never "boar" me, Max!! They often lift me up on a dreary "knight"!

[@Sarmatae1]

Where have you been all my life? When you said, "...because it allows me to make a sauce that uses a lot of the spices that they would have had access to while crusading in the Holy Land." I almost died. I'm a proud chef, historian, and nerd. Stuff like this and what Panagiotis Constantinou is doing is closer to the past than I thought I would see in my lifetime. Thank you. ♥

[@margueritereed5035]

This is true, but people do forget that Muslim Spain was RIGHT THERE.

[@marylaroja]

In Spanish home cooking, we still thicken stews and other sauces with bread, either moisten with water, a bit of vinegar or fried until crisp and ground. We like it better than flour to thicken sauces. Love your videos, by the way!!!

[@sarahwatts7152]

I didn't know about this beyond gazpacho. Do you add it in small chunks or as breadcrumbs?

[@semhendrikx3498]

Same in the Netherlands and Belgium, but we usually don’t moisten the bread. We lay it on top of the stew until it is soft and than mix it in. We also use bread soaked in milk to bind meatballs.

[@redsands1001]

I like salmorejo

[@marylaroja]

@@sarahwatts7152 We mash it with the garlic, parsley and safron, if used. So I guess it,s breadcrumbs.

[@marylaroja]

@@semhendrikx3498 we used the bread in milk for the meatballs too. And anything that needs some kind of glue, like mondejo, a large meatball boiled with a cocido. It is funny how cooking techniques are similar wherever you go!

[@Lauren.E.O]

“Monks with Swords” is the Monty Python-style movie 2022 wants and needs ⚔️

[@Arjibi]

Or Monke with Swords

[@Leto_0]

That's basically holy grail combined with life of brian

[@Xerxes2005]

Or you could watch Star Wars...

[@synkkamaan1331]

@@Leto_0 What have the Crusaders ever done for us?

[@josharchibald4637]

I am so very glad you included the context of infant mortality. That's usually omitted and leads to huge misconceptions about life in the middle ages.

[@guineverebonjovi9926]

I quite literally love your channel so much

[@adeleshaak4107]

I'm happy to call you "Commander of the Victuals" if you're happy to keep on making these videos.

[@eledatowle7128]

I second that!

[@eledatowle7128]

Also, that could be Max's newest merch slogan!

[@latoxica9493]

@@eledatowle7128 Agree! I actually need that in a t-shirt

[@garethjones2596]

If the motion gets 1,000 likes, it shall be passed

[@Cordoba82]

"Tasting History with Max Miller, the Commander of the Vittles". Sounds cool to me.

[@janach1305]

And of course “vittles” is spelled “victuals.” 😉

[@Cordoba82]

@@janach1305 My apologies. Since English is my third language, I always watch videos with the "close captions" on, and in this case that's what they spelled. Never thought that a compliment was going to get me a reprimand.... 😉

[@phredthepharmer934]

Every time I hear “vittles” it reminds me of Jed Clampett. “ Well, dogies!”

[@janach1305]

@@phredthepharmer934 Me, too! 😄

[@AngryEggs231]

I have to say, about 20% of my enjoyment of this show comes from finding out which pokemon plushie Max thought would best represent this episode. Also it seems that <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="564">9:24</a> confirms my mother was a knight templar: "You'll get what I give you and be grateful I bothered to give you anything at all."

[@GLRAKER]

Very entertaining and informative. You do a great service for the KZbin world.

[@floraposteschild4184]

Thank you! Both for another great recipe, and for clarifying the "everyone died at 35" myth. It is my pet peeve. When a documentary includes that misinformation that's my cue to turn it off.

[@natmorse-noland9133]

Max: The rules made sure the Templars were on their best behavior when traveling in other lands. Blue from OSP: 👀👀👀👀

[@emilygillock3803]

Lol it's all popes and kings wearing dunce caps for several centuries

[@davids2789]

Suddenly this popped out in my suggestions and i just saw a video of cooking and history, and i love both things haha, this is fantastic!!!

[@TastingHistory]

Welcome aboard!

[@seanmcguire7974]

This is a great concept for a KZbin channel. History n food. Love it

[@panchemist]

Ah, I have a wild boar meat in a freezer and my mother in law is having a birthday soon. That should impress her ! And win some points for me :)

[@richiethev4623]

Just make sure to have the meat fully defrosted before making this meal so make sure to give your meat a full day and half to fully defrost🌅☕🤗 -Mercy(sorry for the name confusion I am on my dad's phone at the moment)

[@chezmoi42]

Just don't give her a birthday kiss!

[@patrickdusablon2789]

Thank you for including child and infant mortality in the Middle Ages as a factor skewing the average! Entirely too many people forget that! For men, living to get to puberty was a good indication they might actually reach even a ripe old age; women, if they could survive childbirth and reach menopause, it was very much the same. This is of course not accounting for the possibility of accidents, sudden illness or violent death. As for the Templars, between a semi-monastic lifestyle, food never really being scarce for them (unless on campaign and someone screwed up logistics - Battle of Hattin, anyone?), and having access to the best health care available at the time in Europe. And with the actual Knights Templar coming from existing chivalry, and the serjeants being drawn at the very least from skilled trades, they came from families with means, which meant they tended to have had a healthier childhood than, say, peasants.

[@TurnerClassicNinja]

Their focus on cleanliness before eating must also be a huge factor. Lots of bad diseases like dysentery and cholera infect that way, and the Templars would have avoided them entirely.

[@patrickdusablon2789]

@@TurnerClassicNinja they certainly had really good practices in that regard. Most likely better than the average (though it's a serious misconception that folk in the Middle Ages didn't value cleanliness!)

[@drooskie9525]

@@patrickdusablon2789 What's mind-blowing is that, much of our conceptions of what "medieval/middle ages" Europe was like, was actually more around the early modern period/Enlightenment era where being "scientific" was the big thing.. Medical care actually regressed, cleanliness extremely, slavery and racism increased dramatically, women were treated far worse, and religious fundamentalism skyrocketed (witch burnings, for example), and we see some of these effects even today. A lot of even the ideas about occultism and such.

[@Aurilion44]

Oh yeah, this drives me insane and I've dropped a fair bit of otherwise good series and novels, both fantasy and semi-realistic, that would go out of their way to portray how Middle Age was dirty. I mean, they were humans. Humans always valued cleanliness and it's incredibly hard to find someone (traumas excluded) who doesn't at least somewhat enjoy warm baths or playing in the water. Hell, IIRC there were entire unofficially scheduled events/parties/social gatherings (?) where people would go to rivers/lakes/bathhouses in groups and just have fun. Celts and Scandinavians in particular were known for this and extreme tidiness. Of course, they probably weren't as clean as modern people (although it may be arguable) who can bathe every day, but they definitely weren't dirty. Yeah, from what I remember there was a time period after plagues when bathing was seen as bad thing because some "people of science" mistakenly spread that bathing spreads diseases. Plus, some nobles, especially from France, partly from fashion parly from this belief, stopped bathing almost entirely and would just put on wigs and use a LOT of perfume to mask it, and because France was seen as The Kingdom, this spread to other countries. Fortunately, I think this fashion didn't really latch on the Central and Eastern Europe and people there were still pretty hygienic all things considered.

[@h.s.w.5760]

@@drooskie9525 Fiddlesticks; calumny! The Renaissance was an era of great advancement in science, mathematics, and the arts. And medicine? Anatomical study resulted in vastly improved understanding of human biology. Historicism in art and architecture brought about better urban planning and sanitation. Slavery and racism existed already, and will never cease to exist as long as Man exists. Ladies were certainly better respected, and the power and influence of the Church and its morality is decidedly subjective.

[@teddytwoguns2846]

Historically only rich people have napkins

[@MyllekeBas]

Well, I often hunt a lot of wild boar, and I always have venison in the freezer. I also love to cook, but I've never heard about this sauce, so I will certainly try this one next time!!! Thank you very much!

[@angela_merkeI]

Imagine (presumably) being married off to an old man and the first thing he gives you is a handbook on how to interact with him. Charming.

[@antonioyeats2149]

Lol I mean at least he let her know xD

[@twanger5819]

beyond based

[@Gutslinger]

Flip the roles around, and that's what we have today in America. Lol

[@littlearsehole75]

This is hands-down the most interesting food related channel on KZbin. Max is a fantastic presenter.

[@TensorNetworks2024]

Enjoyed this review. Great job!

[@isabellewenzke4502]

Hello! I made the medieval mead recipe and it was a hit. Thanks for these wonderful videos!

[@TastingHistory]

Did you try it a little aged?

[@isabellewenzke4502]

Not yet! I have a batch set aside to age. I also fermented it a little longer so I’m curious to see how that one turns out.

[@darthplagueis13]

You've got to wonder if the lion thing was a case of forward thinking or if it was based on precedent. Like, imagine being a templar in antioch watching a bunch of lions prowl up on the pilgrims you're supposed to protect and being uncertain if you are allowed to do something about it....

[@Aggrobiscuit]

Probably precedent, back in the day asiatic lions were a lot more common. The royals hunted em to near extinction, but I can't help wondering if the Templar's hunting exemption and their need for protein contributed to it.

[@hierophrantic]

Safety regulations are written in blood, as they say.

[@angiebee2225]

I had the thought that there might be religious reasons to allow them to kill lions. The phrasing used in the quote Max included is very similar to the Bible's description of the devil prowling around "as a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

[@KristinkaAranova]

@@angiebee2225 it was to protect pilgrims

[@TrayDyer38]

I really like your channel. Just discovered it today. You elegantly provide clarity and relevance on the historicity of the culinary subject matter. Bravo and cheers!

[@TrayDyer38]

How in the heck do you stay on top of so many comments? I posted that a couple of hours ago. You either have staff, or your just that committed. Either way, you inspire me.

[@ravenwren233]

I wanted to address the napkin question that you had, Max. Starting in around the 14th century monks did not use napkins on Good Friday as it was symbolic of the burial shroud of Jesus Christ. There is much more to it, but that is the simple answer. This is actually amusing that I studied this some time ago. I found this video doing some research on medieval foods for another project I am working on now.

[@TheGryfonclaw]

Hot take: Start a separate channel on military recipes and call it “Commander of the Victuals”

[@jennypaxton8159]

10 out of 10 would binge-watch.

[@stephenmoody8006]

This is honestly a golden tske, and I'd love to see it!

[@ch2507d]

The rules of the templars were actually not much different from present day soldiers,back then they were inventing a sort of special forces and had to put many spoiled aristocratic sons in order so the rules had to be a bit strict. On the sauce side, it sounds as a really good mix,will try it for sure. Great job yo do here,keep it up!

[@feliciaf8]

this and also teaching them humility

[@TristanBailey]

Thanks for the story and the little details

[@bluhblah1874]

delightful video , i was so invested into the history you were telling about that i completely forgot this is a cooking video haha

[@johnc6809]

Another outstanding, fascinating, enlightening, educationally delightful, gustatorily, enticing show and recipe! Max your channel is one of my favorites. So much to unpack in each episode. I have been a fan of medieval studies since I read Tolkien in high school, (practically an age ago)! Keep up the good work. Your fan, John maker of mail, and other stuffs of wood, leather, and cloth.

[@TastingHistory]

You make mail? Like chainmail? Someday, I hope to own a chainmail hauberk.

[@Nemo_Anom]

@@TastingHistory Maximillian, you need to do an episode that's a renaissance fair. Chainmail, weapons, festive medieval foods, history, and enough nutmeg to make Townsend cum hands free.

[@Harrowed2TheMind]

​@@TastingHistory I won't lie, to this day, one of my pipe dreams is still owning a suit of full plate armor. XD

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

Two sauces thickened with bread that I’m familiar with: Bread sauce, which essentially consists of bread,milk, salt, (white) pepper and spices, served with roast. Had it with a traditional Christmas dinner when invited by friends from the UK. Carbonades à la Flamande aka Stoofvlees, a traditional stew from Flanders (Belgium): stewed beef or pork cut into chunks, the stewing liquid mostly consisting of beer (preferably brown beer), onions, carrot, a bay leaf, salt, pepper, depending on the cook thyme, garlic, and right before serving (20-30 minutes or so) a thick slice of crustless white bread heavily slathered with good mustard. Simmer until the bread breaks up and thickens the sauce. It’s a delicious stew with a long history. Nowadays served with fries but equally delicious with mashed or boiled potatoes. People in Belgium love the sauce so much that if you order take-out fries it’s one of the sauce options you can get. Just the sauce, there might be some small stray bits of meat in there but not much.

[@sovietcanuckistanian]

Bread is also traditionally used for Mole Poblano. At the restaurant I worked at we didn't even use crumbs, we just added fried pieces of bread to the sauce and blended the whole thing when it was soft.

[@JimBob4233]

The thing about 'you might be surprised to know this, but people used bread as a thickener' thing is this episode's culture shock, I think. How did bread sauce not survive in the USA?

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

@@sovietcanuckistanian - When I add that slice of bread to my Flemish beer stew I never cut it. I just slather it with mustard, plop it on top of the simmering stew and clamp a lid on the pan. A bit later I stir it in and the bred completely disintegrates. I repeat the stirring several times and the bread just disappears. It’s not industrial, ‘soft’ bread either but usually comes from an artisanal loaf.

[@MoonlightDawnMoolightDawn]

I've eaten something similar to this and OMG it's soooo good!! I'll try this recipe - thanks Max!

[@highwind4559]

Miller, you and your show should be televised. Much love!

[@mordekaihorowitz]

Maybe eating with a napkin was considered a luxury or overly refined and therefore unfitting with the ideal simplicity of Good Friday

[@adventureswithcorrine]

That's my thought too

[@m2hmghb]

The rules of the knights remind me of the M1 Garand in WW2. The soldiers weren't allowed to adjust the front sight of the weapon - the army went so far as to put a metal cup covering the head of the screw. If that cup was removed there was a penalty for it. Only the armorer could remove the metal cup to loosen or tighten the screw and adjust the front sight. By 1944 it was being phased out. Great video Max, it looks delicious.

[@iwontliveinfear]

I have a my grandfather's Garand that was used in WW2 that still has the cup covering the adjustment screw for the front sight. I've never needed to remove it. Those guns were so well dialed in that if you felt the need to assist the sight, you needed your eyes adjusted. It isn't as reliable as my M91/30, but with my M1 I can hit a target at 1km without a scope.

[@SimuLord]

The rule of thumb among the military brass was if you gave Private Snuffy a way to adjust something, he'd find a way to break it.

[@iwontliveinfear]

@@SimuLord "Assume every soldier is Gomer Pyle"

[@carus6280]

So my understanding comes from having been a brother of a monastic house which did not use a tablecloth on good Friday. Napkins used to be much larger and communal and were like tablecloths so I suspect this is where it comes from. In the liturgy after the Mass on Maundy Thursday the altar would be stripped and all the linens and paraments removed. So you don't decorate your table or cover it as it would be shameful for it yo be better adorned than the zltar. Also it was common for monks to eat standing or kneeling on good Friday.

[@MarkPeterson2023]

This is a great episode. Thumbs up. Thanks for such a great show

[@avisfuriosa2189]

As the title of Commander of the Vittals is no longer available and since this is the cyberpunk age, I suggest Culinomancer 😁 The video is delectable as ever ❤

[@vickiekostecki]

Culinomancer is great!!

[@caffeinedelusions]

Fun fact: those Krakow shoes were the inspiration for the curly-toe shoes seen as intrinsic to the costume of the modern Christmas elf.

[@torianholt2752]

I think those elf shoes draw more inspiration from traditional Sámi boots, which have pointed and curled toes.

[@CastlevaniaFreak]

I didn't know I needed this channel.

[@LegionarHR]

damn bro I am so glad that I found your channel, I am super interested in history meals, thank you so much :)

[@MatConlon]

On what day of the week do the Knights Templar hold their feasts? Chewsday. ...I'll see myself out.

[@oopsgingermoment]

My obsession with the Knights Templar sprouted out of a curiosity while playing Assassin's Creed. The order is just so incredibly interesting. I really appreciate this video, Max!

[@TheRatedOniChannel]

Not a bad way to want to learn about the Templars; for me it was due to the Broken Sword games, the first one was the game that I played the most on my game boy advance.

[@kirbyculp3449]

Born in Blood, John Robinson; an interesting book.

[@northumbriabushcraft1208]

I love boar meat, along with bison, they are my 2 faves. Like superior pork and beef. The cameline sauce looks nice! i might have to make some to have on christmas.

[@mattburke4918]

Dude I would love if you extended your content out into a podcast or a longform video. I found you on the OSPod and this is amazing content! Keep up the great work!