Medieval Wedding Cake: Guest Traditions And Superstitions

Wedding cakes have been a part of the wedding ceremony since ancient Roman times, when the groom would break a bread-like cake over the bride's head to symbolise her submission and the end of her purity, as well as to bring good luck and fertility to the couple. In medieval times, the wedding cake took on a new form, with guests stacking small spiced buns as high as they could, for the bride and groom to kiss over. A successful kiss, without knocking over the tower of buns, was believed to ensure a lifetime of prosperity and many children. Medieval wedding guests also took a slice of the groom's cake home as a memento and to bring them good luck in finding a partner.

Eat it before the main course

In medieval England, wedding cakes were not the sweet, iced creations we know today. Instead, they were made of wheat-based bread, the same kind that would be eaten at any other common gathering. However, this did not stop guests from partaking in traditions involving the wedding cake.

One such tradition involved guests stacking small spiced buns as high as they could, creating a tall pile in front of the newlyweds. The bride and groom would then attempt to kiss over this stack of buns, without knocking them over. If they succeeded, it was believed that they would be blessed with a lifetime of prosperity and many children. This custom, which originated in medieval England, set the stage for the creation of the Croquembouche, a French wedding cake made of stacked sweet rolls.

Given that the main course at a medieval wedding feast likely consisted of meat and other savoury dishes, it would have been customary for guests to eat the wedding cake before the main course. This would allow them to participate in the cake-stacking tradition before moving on to the heartier dishes.

It is worth noting that the concept of a "wedding breakfast", which is still practised in some parts of England, does not refer to a morning meal. Instead, it refers to a wedding feast held after the ceremony on the same day. So, while the cake may have been eaten before the main course, it was not necessarily consumed in the morning.

In conclusion, while the specific timing of the cake-eating may vary, the tradition of guests eating the wedding cake before the main course aligns with the customs of medieval wedding celebrations, where guest participation in rituals involving the cake played a significant role in wishing the newlyweds prosperity and fertility.

Throw it at the bride

In medieval England, wedding guests would commonly throw the cake at the bride. This tradition stemmed from the belief that doing so would increase the bride's fertility and bring good fortune to the newlyweds. The practice was a variation of the custom of stacking small spiced buns or sweet rolls as high as possible for the bride and groom to kiss over. If they succeeded in kissing without toppling the stack, it was thought to bring prosperity and many children.

The English took this tradition a step further, deciding that the bride's fertility would be further enhanced by pelting her with the cake. This custom was likely a raucous affair, with guests hurling the small spiced buns or sweet rolls at the bride, perhaps even aiming for her head. While it may seem unusual by today's standards, this practice was in line with other wedding rituals of the time, such as chasing the bride at the end of the celebration to grab a scrap of her clothing for good luck.

The throwing of the cake at the bride was just one aspect of medieval wedding festivities, which also included the couple kissing over the stacked buns, partaking in an unsweetened wheat-based bread (as the wedding cake), and sharing a feast with friends and family. The bride and groom would drink wine and listen to love songs and poems performed by minstrels.

While the tradition of throwing cake at the bride may have been intended to bring good fortune and enhance fertility, it is unclear how the bride herself felt about being the target of flying baked goods. Today, wedding cakes are more likely to be carefully displayed and served to guests, with no throwing involved.

Put it under their pillow

In medieval England, wedding cakes were not the sweet, iced creations we know today. Instead, they were made of wheat-based bread, the same kind that would be eaten at any other common gathering. The closest thing to a 'cake' at a medieval wedding was a stack of spiced buns, piled as high as possible, that the newlyweds would attempt to kiss over. If they succeeded without knocking the buns over, it was believed to bring prosperity and fertility to the couple. This custom is thought to be the origin of the French Croquembouche, a tower of sweet rolls or profiteroles with a halo of spun sugar.

In the 17th century, wedding cakes were made in pairs: one for the bride and one for the groom. The groom's cake was typically a small, dark, heavy fruit cake. It would be cut into pieces and given to each guest as a memento and to ensure good luck. In the evening, the recipient of a piece of the groom's cake would place it under their pillow. This tradition was short-lived and is no longer practised.

The bride's cake, a precursor of the modern wedding cake, was a large, sweet cake filled with currants and sprinkled with sugar and icing. White icing was especially prized as it symbolised the bride's purity and the family's wealth, as only refined, expensive sugar was white.

Today, wedding cakes are often more of a centrepiece than a food item, and they come in a variety of sizes, flavours and configurations. However, the tradition of stacking buns or rolls at a wedding is still practised in Indonesia, where the height of the cake is said to predict the couple's prosperity.

Give it to the local church

In medieval England, wedding cakes were not the sweet, iced creations we know today. Instead, they were made of wheat-based bread, similar to the type of bread that would be eaten at any other common gathering. This bread was stacked as high as possible, and the newlyweds would attempt to kiss over the top of the stack. If they were successful, it was believed that they would be blessed with a prosperous and fertile life together.

After the ceremony, it was customary for guests to give the leftover cake to the local church. This was done for several reasons. Firstly, it was seen as an offering to God, a way to give thanks for the successful union of the couple. By presenting the church with the leftover cake, guests believed they were ensuring divine favour for the newlyweds and blessing their marriage.

Secondly, the church played a crucial role in medieval society, often acting as a community centre. By giving the cake to the church, guests were contributing to the sustenance of the clergy and ensuring the continuation of religious services and rituals. This act of donation also served to strengthen the bond between the church and the local community.

Finally, the cake could be redistributed to the poor or those in need. In an era of scarcity, this gesture of charity was seen as an important way to give back and support those less fortunate. This act of giving also symbolised the couple's generosity and willingness to share their joy and abundance with others.

Thus, the act of donating the wedding cake to the local church carried significant cultural, spiritual, and charitable significance in medieval times.

Put salt on top of it

In medieval times, wedding cakes were not the sweet, iced creations we know today. Instead, they were made of wheat-based bread, similar to the bread that would be eaten at any other common gathering. However, this did not stop guests and the happy couple from enjoying the cake and partaking in traditions involving it.

One tradition involved guests stacking buns as high as they could in front of the newlyweds. The bride and groom would then attempt to kiss over the stack of buns, without knocking them over. If they succeeded, it was believed that they would be blessed with a lifetime of prosperity and many children.

Another tradition involved guests putting salt on top of the cake. Salt was a valuable commodity in medieval times, and it is believed that guests would place a pinch of salt on top of the cake as a gift to the happy couple. The salt was likely used to preserve food, especially meat, which was a staple of the medieval diet.

In addition to the salt, guests may also have placed other small gifts on top of the cake. These gifts could include spices, honey, or wax, which were also valuable commodities in medieval times. The couple would then use these gifts in their new life together.

While the practice of putting salt on top of the wedding cake may seem unusual to modern couples, it was likely seen as a thoughtful and practical gesture by medieval guests. It is a reminder of the different cultural and culinary traditions that have evolved over time and how we continue to celebrate love and marriage in our own unique ways.

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