THE FORK IN HISTORY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19905, 27 September 1926, Page 12

THE FORK IN HISTORY.

Although used by the Greeks and ancient Romans as an implement of agriculture and as a weapon, the table fork is only of comparatively recent date. We know that it existed in the time of the Anglo-Saxons, and was extensively used during the Middle Ages by the nobles on State occasions (says John o’ London’s Weekly). This was proved by a discovery made in 1834 when labourers, laying a drain near Sevington, North Wilts, discovered a decayed box containing a spoon and fork, together with coins dating from Coenwolf, King of Mercia (a.d. 795) to Ethelstan (.879-890), Again, the will of Bury Wills (1463) states: “ I beqweathc to Davn John Keltelvngc my silver forke for grene gyngour.” But from this time up till the reign of James I the fork seems to have fallen into disuse in England. Even as late as 1652 we read in Heylin’s “Cosmography ” of “ the use of silver forks, which is by some of our spruce gallants taken up of late.” Indeed, Italy seems io have been the only country in which “ the use of silver forks” survived. Thomas Coryate, in his book of " Crudities,” published at the beginning of the seventeenth century, says that he observed the “custom of forked cutting of meat” during his travels in Italy. He says that “the Italian cannot by any means endure to have his dish touched with fingers, seeing that all men’s fingers are not alike clean.” On his return to England Coryate probably presented a for’ to James I, for this Sovereign is the first who is definitely known to have used a fork in England. And Ben Jonson in “ Volpone” commemorates this fact in flattery of his Royal patron; . then must vou learn to use And handling of your silver fork at meals. Indeed, so great a luxury was the use of a fork considered in those days that many monastic orders forbade their members fo indulge in it. The Asiatics, even to this day, use no forks, but eat with their fingers. The Persians are said to refer contemptuously to the European custom as the “claw of the Christians.” j As is well known, the Chinese cat their food by means of two small sticks.