A Word on Kitchens

Fire pits are popping up in all sorts of landscapes. They look charming and let us cook the way our ancestors did.

Or At Least, We Like To Imagine That Was How It Was Done

If you had a big castle in, say, 1100, you might have several big cooking fires going during meal preparation. This could make the room broiling (which meant that professional chefs could sometimes work in nothing but braies and apron, which is hot indeed.)

It also increased the chances of stray sparks starting a big house fire.

People were terrified of fire. To combat this possibility, the kitchen was often built outside. Servants had to run food to a dining room from a kitchen that might be in the middle of the bailey of a castle.

Small homes might still have their cooking fire in the front yard too for similar reasons.

Something to think about when writing historical fiction.