<< < Station: [17] Drinking Customs

M: Beer and wine were once drunk from these beautiful vessels in convivial gatherings – vessels including the Bartmannskrug jugs we heard about earlier, and tall jugs called Hohe Krüge. And now we’d like to give you some information about historic drinking customs.

F: In the 13th century, the host at the table still followed a centuries-old tradition. All the pitchers (filled with the beer or wine that he was planning to serve to his guests during the evening) were placed on the table at the same time. That way, the guests could immediately see how much there would be to drink.

M: People drank from a shared cup that circulated among the guests, a sign of their common bond.

F: This is where the decoration on the drinking vessels comes into play. As you saw earlier, the decoration on many of the jugs follows a theme – a Bible story, or a tale from mythology. These subjects were designed to stimulate conversation at the table. Take a look at the jugs and try to guess the subject! That will tell you what educated people discussed back then as they sat around a table.

M: In the 14th century, customs around entertaining changed. Now, the host only placed a single jug on the table, which was repeatedly replenished by servants. However, all the guests still drank from a shared cup.

F: A refined gentleman was distinguished by the way he drank – tidily, and without spilling. It was considered polite to hold the cup properly as you drank. Which was not so easy, if you were using a shallow drinking-bowl, or a small funnel-neck beaker known as a Trichterhalsbecher. Or possibly after several jugs of beer or wine! If you’re wondering how people managed – take a look at the figures in the showcases to see how they coped.

M: Now, let’s leave the merry company and enter the treasure chamber.

M: Beer and wine were once drunk from these beautiful vessels in convivial gatherings – vessels including the Bartmannskrug jugs we heard about earlier, and tall jugs called Hohe Krüge. And now we’d like to give you some information about historic drinking customs.

F: In the 13th century, the host at the table still followed a centuries-old tradition. All the pitchers (filled with the beer or wine that he was planning to serve to his guests during the evening) were placed on the table at the same time. That way, the guests could immediately see how much there would be to drink.

M: People drank from a shared cup that circulated among the guests, a sign of their common bond.

F: This is where the decoration on the drinking vessels comes into play. As you saw earlier, the decoration on many of the jugs follows a theme – a Bible story, or a tale from mythology. These subjects were designed to stimulate conversation at the table. Take a look at the jugs and try to guess the subject! That will tell you what educated people discussed back then as they sat around a table.

M: In the 14th century, customs around entertaining changed. Now, the host only placed a single jug on the table, which was repeatedly replenished by servants. However, all the guests still drank from a shared cup.

F: A refined gentleman was distinguished by the way he drank – tidily, and without spilling. It was considered polite to hold the cup properly as you drank. Which was not so easy, if you were using a shallow drinking-bowl, or a small funnel-neck beaker known as a Trichterhalsbecher. Or possibly after several jugs of beer or wine! If you’re wondering how people managed – take a look at the figures in the showcases to see how they coped.

M: Now, let’s leave the merry company and enter the treasure chamber.

Foto: © Stadtmuseum Siegburg