In which century did the turkey first appear on English Christmas tables?

Answer 1

18th.

"In England, the evolution of the main course into turkey did not take place for years, or even centuries. At first, in Medieval England, the main course was either a peacock or a boar, the boar usually the mainstay. After the French Jesuits imported the turkey into Great Britain, it became the main course in the 1700s."

Answer 2

Records suggest that the first roast turkey was eaten in Europe on 27 June 1570 at the wedding feast of Charles XI of France and Elizabeth of Austria. The King was so impressed with the birds that he began to breed them in the forest of St Germain. The turkey subsequently became a popular dish at banquets held by the French nobility. Turkeys are believed to have first been brought to Britain in 1526 by Yorkshireman William Strickland - he acquired six birds from American Indian traders on his travels and sold them for tuppence each in Bristol.

Henry VIII was the first English king to enjoy turkey, although Edward VII made eating turkey fashionable at Christmas.

Please note that although Tutkeys are found in North America they are actually native to Mexico. European explorers took Wild Turkeys to Europe from Mexico in the early 1500s. They were so successfully domesticated in Europe that English colonists brought them back with them when they settled on the Atlantic Coast. The domestic form has retained the white tail tip of the original Mexican subspecies, and that character can be used to distinguish wandering barnyard birds from wild turkeys which have chestnut-brown tail tips.

Answer 3

It couldn't have been before the 17th century--turkeys aren't native to England. They're purely a North American bird. That's one reason Ben Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird. Fortunately, some people he was trying to persuade tried to eat the turkey VULTURE instead, and decided they didn't want anything to do with it.

Answer 4

I don't know but i never saw turkey as a kid but when i returned from the ww2 it was like 4/5 years that the people thought turkey would be a nice change from the rabbit from the bottom of the garden !! it now looking back makes me cringe

Answer 5

As the turkey is native to North America, and not Europe, it would have had to have been after the time of Columbus. Probably the 1600's before it would have made it to England. So some time after that...

Answer 6

Traditionally, goose or roast beef was the meat of choice for Christmas in England. I personally think that it didn't become popular until the nineteenth century, along with many of the other traditions associated with the holiday, such as the Christmas tree.

Answer 7

It was in the 16th century when the turkey bird was first introduced to England.