(from guest blogger Virginia Cunningham)
Jane
Austen, the author of Pride and Prejudice,
Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey and Emma has
become something of a symbol for old England to many people. The time Austen
lived in was actually known as the Regency
period or Regency era.
While
much of what we consider to be part of traditional English culture was formed
in this era, many of the customs and traditions of the time bear little
resemblance to anything we might think of as traditionally English. Some food
items, like the still-prepared roast beef and vegetables, were introduced
during the Regency period, while others have long been forgotten. In
fact, they might even be considered strange by today’s standards.
Jane Austen, who lived a relatively modest life, often
would have prepared her own meals along with her family. To shed some light on
this version of England that no longer exists, let’s take a look at some of the
foods Austen and others would have eaten during that time.
