Elinor Fettiplace's Receipt Book

Elinor Fettiplace's Receipt Book presents a rare manuscript of Elizabethan-era recipes and household management notes, discovered and published by Hilary Spurling in 1986. The original document, dated 1604, belonged to Elinor Fettiplace, who lived at Appleton Manor in Oxfordshire and was the wife of Sir Richard Fettiplace. The manuscript contains recipes annotated by Fettiplace and subsequent generations, covering preservation techniques, cooking methods, and household management practices of an aristocratic English household. Spurling, who gained access to the manuscript through her marriage to a Fettiplace descendant, tested and translated the recipes for modern readers. The book offers unique insights into the daily operations of an Elizabethan manor house and the role of women in managing large estates during this period. The collection reveals networks of recipe exchange among noble women and shows influences from continental European sources, including Jean Liébault's La Maison Rustique.

Readers appreciate this book as both a historical cookbook and a window into 17th century English life. Most reviews focus on the detailed notes and context Spurling provides around Fettiplace's original recipes. Likes: - Clear modern adaptations of historical recipes - Rich details about period cooking techniques and ingredients - Insights into daily life of an upper-class Elizabethan household - Historical and cultural commentary supplements the recipes - Contains gardening and medicinal preparations Dislikes: - Some recipes lack exact measurements - Not all recipes successfully adapted for modern kitchens - Limited illustrations and photos - Focus on wealthy household may not reflect typical period cooking Ratings: Goodreads: 4.16/5 (37 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (15 ratings) Notable review: "Amazing scholarship but also very practical - I've made several recipes successfully including the excellent marmalade." - Goodreads reviewer

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🍳 The recipes in the book were tested and recreated in modern kitchens using authentic techniques, revealing sophisticated flavor combinations that rival contemporary cuisine. 🏰 Elinor Fettiplace was the lady of Gloucestershire's Appleton Manor, and her manuscript reflects the extensive trading networks of English country houses, featuring exotic ingredients like rosewater and spices from the Far East. 📚 The original manuscript was discovered by Hilary Spurling while researching her husband's family history - Elinor Fettiplace was his direct ancestor. 🌿 The book includes detailed instructions for making medicines and household remedies, showing how Elizabethan women were expected to be both cooks and amateur physicians. ⏰ Elinor organized her recipes by month, providing a unique calendar of seasonal cooking and preservation techniques that guided household management throughout the year.