Rebekah Fanning

I wrote Candles and White Roses because of my love for medieval social history, especially the life and times of Richard Duke of York 1411-1460.

Beleiving that the political manoeuvring, no matter how enthralling, just didn't paint the full picture of everyday life.

True, life was hard, especially for those of low social status but it was still colourful.

The fasting days were to be endured, but equally, the feast days were treasured punctuation marks in the year. The likes of May Day was a festival of joy.

Laughter was also in plentiful supply, as were the occasional games of dice with friends.

Even nowadays, there’s nothing as satisfying as a day off to enjoy doing what makes you happy, whether that be listening to or playing music, relishing in nature, time with family, friends and neighbours, or maybe even a trip away from home.

Seasonal food was a thing to be looked forward to. The smell of elderflower blossom cooking in batter, soft ripe cheeses tempered up with herbs, fried bread doused with butter. What could be better!

Through my medieval food displays "Falcon & Fetterlock" and "The Yorkist Table" I have displayed seasonal dishes, in the guise of Richard Duke of York's table at the Museum of London, Ludlow Castle, Leeds Castle, and Hedingham Castle (where I was the resident medieval cook in the Great Hall for a number of years).  I have also displayed medieval food and medieval five-finger silk weaving at historical sites and archaological societies.

My ambition is to show that in essence, life is still the same as it’s always been with love, laughter, sadness and pain, but still colourful!

 

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