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Pilgrim's Pie Risks Wrath Of Egbert
Pilgrim's Pie Risks Wrath Of Egbert
8th February 2010
Gloucester Cathedral’s plans to sell a Pilgrim’s Pie may contravene an ancient law dating from the time of the Domesday Book, a local researcher has claimed.
Basil Coates from Stroud contacted the cathedral office to warn of a reference of 1086 in the Domesday Book which he had discovered. He wrote:
“The pagans of the Kingdom of Prinknash Hundreds are given to the making of ye pie and for 1/2 ducket travellers may readily feast. There are no Pilgrims hereabouts"
This so alarmed Egbert of Wessex that he made a proclamation that "Hesoever until this day forth maketh the pie of the Pilgrim will suffer my wrath"
A certain bold baker of Barnwood named Godric Finchdale defied the ban and made pies which became known as Monk Pies. These became popular with travelling jesters and the clergy. They were not popular with the Abbey whose population had decreased to a mere 12 "who taketh of the oath"
The Domesday Book of 1089 records another event. "The Gloster Marshes" it notes " has a surfeit of common peasants who wander with ye oddest animal all white and woolley theyst name these beasts cheep or sheape I know not which."
This report caught the attention of Egbert of Wessex who was intrigued by these persons with "ye long stick curled or bended at one end" and not wishing a repeat of the Pilgrim problem issued another proclamation. "On this day and henceforth and with the rising of ye moon I declare the abolishment of ye Pie of ye Pilgrim, ye Pie of ye Monk and furthermore ye Pie of ye Shepherd within the Kingdom of Prinknash and Cotswoldia Silvum et Planum"
Cathedral Chapter Steward Mark Beckett commented: “We will bear the proclamation in mind and try to avoid the wrath of the powers that be. However, as shepherd’s pie is being made and sold in these parts without prosecution, I think we can go ahead with our plans to launch our Pilgrim’s Pie.”
The Gloucester Cathedral Enterprise Board is drawing up the shortlist for the Pilgrim’s Pie competition. A number of producers will be invited to present their pies for judging on 1st March – the start of National Pie Week.
to add an item to your Shortlist basket.
