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“in Middle Ages, oil was expensive. And edible oil was simply not something people under siege – where food meant survival – would simply throw away. […] Other
by gattilorenz 3y ago
“in Middle Ages, oil was expensive. And edible oil was simply not something people under siege – where food meant survival – would simply throw away.
[…]
Other substances were also popular. […] In Siege of Pontoise in 1441, English defenders allegedly used boiling animal fat”
Well, that’s a weird argument: “oil was edible and not commonly used. There are recorded instances of animal fat being used instead”.
- Terr_ 3y agoThat isn't a contradiction, not all fatty animal byproducts are edible, or at least not without filtering, sterilization, or other steps defenders may not have had available.
- samus 3y agoAlso, animal fat for such uses can be made out of any meat. Rats, dogs, diseased animals, horses, and in principle even human corpses.
- Ekaros 3y agoNot to forget using the stuff that is beyond acceptance by everyone. Animal fats can keep, but there is always some limit. At point it is so rancid that no one wants it. Either you burn or dump it.
- reddit_clone 3y agoThe water belongs to the sietch!
- aldarion 3y agoPoint wasn't that it was never used, though, but that it wouldn't have been the first choice. But yeah, bit of a weird wording.
- YeGoblynQueenne 3y agoClearly they preferred to chuck unhealthy unsaturated animal fats to the enemies and keep the healthy Extra Virgin Olive Oil to eat.