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The Medieval Pig
Examines the role of the pig in medieval society in material and textual sources.
The pig was a common sight in the Middle Ages. They might be eating under an oak tree, or out in a field. They might be in the street, with the swineherd close behind at their heels. They might be dismembered, for sale by a butcher. They might be represented on misericords, in a church or cathedral, dancing, playing the bagpipes, or suckling people. Pigs were in all these places. But what was the pig's place?
This book considers pigs in medieval Europe from a number of whether part of the countryside, the cityscape, on the plate or in the mind. Drawing on a rich wealth of sources, both textual and material, it examines in particular the paradoxes that the pig both good and bad, fecund/fornicator, noble/filthy. It uncovers the pig's numerous roles in medieval society, how pigs shaped human life, and how humans shaped theirs.
The pig was a common sight in the Middle Ages. They might be eating under an oak tree, or out in a field. They might be in the street, with the swineherd close behind at their heels. They might be dismembered, for sale by a butcher. They might be represented on misericords, in a church or cathedral, dancing, playing the bagpipes, or suckling people. Pigs were in all these places. But what was the pig's place?
This book considers pigs in medieval Europe from a number of whether part of the countryside, the cityscape, on the plate or in the mind. Drawing on a rich wealth of sources, both textual and material, it examines in particular the paradoxes that the pig both good and bad, fecund/fornicator, noble/filthy. It uncovers the pig's numerous roles in medieval society, how pigs shaped human life, and how humans shaped theirs.
130 pages, Hardcover
Published April 2, 2024
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November 13, 2025
My biggest tripe, I mean gripe, with this book is that is a bit short and feels a bit rushed at times. I found it entertaining but not particularly groundbreaking if one already is aware that the pink things we call pigs today are not at all what pigs looked like a thousand years ago or even 200 years ago. Leaner, fairly meaner, tusked and hairy pigs in the middle ages were rougher sturdier animals that took a fair amount of physical and mental space in the medieval world. A facet worthwhile to consider and contemplate but not one to really fixate on.
Displaying 1 of 1 review