What Did Medieval Knights Eat for Breakfast?

Medieval knights ate modest breakfasts of primarily bread and wine. Hot breakfasts were not yet popular and would not come along until modern times.

The medieval knight rose early in the morning with the sunrise or close to dawn. He would usually hear mass in the chapel during this time or consult with his officials about business. Most of the medieval knight’s duties were completed early in the morning with all entertainment occurring after dinner, which was usually served at midday. This mid-day dinner was the largest meal of the day.

The rest of the knight’s day involved entertainment or hunting. Entertainment consisted of jugglers, troubadours, acrobats, gambling or games. Hunting was a way to exercise the body and work with weapons while honing weaponry skills for possible warfare in the future. Most hunting exhibitions would take place with other knights in groups and would take place on horses. The targets were usually deer and wild boar because of their delicious taste; however, wild animals, such as wolves and wild dogs were hunted because they were a threat to both people and livestock.

The knights would end their day at sundown unless there was a midnight feast happening in the land. Candles were used to mimic sunlight to make it possible to see and celebrate.