So these are the English cookbooks I have. These are only a few of a good period English cooking library. These are definitly good for thumbing through for both ideas and for recipes/ingredients/how to in period.
The English Housewife. This book is very good for a look into a period household for common every day pieces of information on cooking, gathering, planting ect. The recipes are with out measurement, so lots of experimentation is to be done.
Take a Thousand Eggs or More. I adore this 2 pack set of books. Great original recipes in old English. There is the author’s translation and recipe measurements, which you can either follow or experiment with. Great for any level of cook.
The Medieval Kitchen. I like this one…the old English is translated in to modern so there is probably a slight drift (but not to much) from the original wording. There are measurements for these recipes to either copy directly from when cooking or take as…guidelines. Another great book for any level cook.
Pleyn Delit: Medieval Cookery for Modern Cooks. I like this cookbook. It’s not nearly as polished as say Take a Thousand eggs but the recipes are still very good as well as a bit of extra on history and Subtleties. There are measurements so that any one can follow as well as the original recipe and a translation. A good cookbook.
English Royal Cookbook. This one is not one of my favorites though it does provide dates for recipes and measurements. There is not an original recipe just the writer’s words. The historic part is interesting. This is an ok book, worth having in the library but it will not be as well thumbed as others.
Fabulous Feasts. This book has really fun information and great pictures. The references at the end of the book are incredible! The recipes in this book do not list an original recipe. This a great secondary source but not good for a primary source.
The Gourmet’s Guide 1580-1660. This is a small pamphlet, with a little history and a lot of recipes. Each recipe has an original recipe, ingredients then the author’s redaction. Not a bad little pamphlet. Good references. Definitely something to keep an eye out for and to acquire.