Food, Identity and Humoral Theory in Early Modern England – A Case Study from Leicestershire

Archaeological studies of food have generally taken an isolationist approach: animal bones and plant remains have been considered separately and written sources have not been fully integrated. Furthermore, interpretations have tended to focus on economics of production or identifying aspects of dietary identity. A major omission in current scholarship is consideration of humoral theory as a framework that guided contemporary attitudes to diet and good health.

This thesis is one of the first integrative studies to explore the extent to which humoral theory influenced dietary choice. It focuses on the diet of the aristocratic Grey family, who lived at Bradgate House, Leicestershire, ca.1500-1750, and explores whether their diet was typical of, or distinct from other contemporary communities. A range of archaeological evidence was studied, including animal and fish bones, shells and plant remains, and a late-seventeenth century Household Account Book belonging to the Greys. Consumption patterns were compared to dietary advice detailed in Early Modern (ca.1500-1750) regimens.

The investigations revealed that the Greys followed healthy eating guidance daily but did not follow dietary advice slavishly; this was characteristic of other elite households and urban sites. Supporting lines of evidence include: the low consumption of unhealthy and troublesome foods; a strong association between easily digested foods (suitable for the sedentary) and the elite; the consumption of denser foods (suitable for the active) at urban sites; and the addition of certain foods at times of illness and recovery. Humoral theory also reinforced and generated demand for other dietary trends, such as increased veal and fruit consumption.

This thesis provides new insight into consumption patterns and the significance of foods by considering humoral theory. It offers a relevant interpretative framework for Early Modern England and has shown integrative study provides a rich, comprehensive understanding of past behaviours.