Examining the Urge to Pig Out in Bad Times as Well as Good

“When George Neville was installed as Archbishop of York in 1465, the occasion called for a festive meal. The grocery list survives, so we know that the lucky guests consumed, among many other things, 1,000 sheep, 7,000 capons, 1,000 egrets, 400 peacocks and 103 cold venison pasties. In all, 42,833 items of meat and poultry were served, with a dozen porpoises and seals thrown in to prevent palate fatigue. Presumably, a good time was had by all.”