Part 7/8:
As the dough rises, it provides a moment to reflect on the significance of fayre flour in medieval society. Throughout the Middle Ages, various grains were utilized for making bread, including oat, barley, and rye. However, wheat flour held a special status, often reserved for the upper class. Poet William of Waddington’s writings illustrate that wheat was considered the finest grain, referred to as "the loveliest corn men eat."
Flour milling was not merely a selling point but a craftsmanship that came with challenges. Millers were often viewed with suspicion, and flour’s production was fraught with undertones of danger and societal complexities.