In medieval London, everyone from kings to peasants ate eels. But by the 19th C eels had largely become a street food.
In 1851, London imported 9.8 million live eels per year (mostly from Holland). 70% went to street vendors selling hot buttered eels in poorer parts of the city. #eels#medieval#history#london
The 16th C composer Thomas Whythorne wrote that maids go for looks, but widows have...um...other priorities. To court an experienced woman, he said, you "must not carry quick eels in your codpiece, but show some proof of being stiff." #eels#history#medieval#datingadvice