Two answers: - Hygeine? That was invented by Louis Pasteur in the nineteenth century. :) - In circumstances that allowed it, bread was often used as a plate

Two answers: - Hygeine? That was invented by Louis Pasteur in the nineteenth century. :) - In circumstances that allowed it, bread was often used as a plate (“trenchers.”) Would be nicely hygienic if the bread used in this way wasn’t traditionally then given as alms.