[Regia-NA] Methers, Cauldrons, and Skillets

[Yolli]

Hi William,

I can't say I've ever heard of a Mether unless it's the phonetic way of
spelling measure by someone with a lisp...

There are though, and from far off Novgorod stave built bowls, pots and
even spouted vessels. If I was clever in any way I'd point you to a book
as reference but all I've got are photocopies. You buffoon Williamson!

As for one piece raised copper alloy ( bronze ) cauldrons, I think that
they are kosher for our period. I'm certain that they were in use in the
Pagan Saxon period ( 600's in Lechlade etc ) but just a little hazy on
later finds without pouring over some site reports. Maybe Steve has one
that can spring to mind.

The rotary pans you mention such as the example from Oseberg ( much like
those measuring wheels you may have used in the school play ground ) are
ok but heat up too quickly and burn the base of your buns or cakes -
fire control I know. The real trick is obviously a low fire and
something stable to rest the platter on - it's not the first time a drop
scone has rolled and drooled into the embers.

As for the spiral 'thing', I have found it best for beating very heavy
carpets; splatting huge bugs; and for searing my enemies asses ( not the
four legged sort... ). I do wonder if they were used to heat water
indirectly in the manner of a removable kettle element.

As for the frying pans, they too are fine. One great example comes from
York, although I will just add that it had fused glass inside it and not
a full English breakfast.

Cheers, Roll.

-----Original Message-----
From: list-regia-na-bounces at lig.net
[mailto:list-regia-na-bounces at lig.net] On Behalf Of Conall
Sent: 11 June 2005 08:55
To: Regia Anglorum NA
Subject: [Regia-NA] Methers, Cauldrons, and Skillets

Greetings all,
    I am coming out of the email shadows hoping that some of you can
help me 
with some research that I am trying to do regarding some early Irish 
cookware and a drinking vessel.

    First, I am trying to find out about something called a "mether"
cup. 
It is a four-sided wooden vessel from early Ireland, usually about 8
inches 
tall and about six inches wide, with a wooden handle on all four sides.
The 
name "mether" may originate from the word for "measure"; it may
originally 
have been a vessel for measurement.

       I am trying to provenance what the *earliest* date for these
objects 
is.  I have pictures of one from Dunhallow in Co. Cork and another in a 
"coffee table book".  Is there any evidence for these being in use
during 
the 9th-11th Centuries?  Can anyone out there point me at some better 
references?

    Second, I know from other research that many Scandinavian cauldrons 
during the "Viking Age" were made in sections and riveted together (very

similar to a "spangenhelm" it seems), as was the much earlier famous 
Gundestrup Cauldron.  I have seen examples of Bronze Age Irish bowls
(from 
the Lagore dig by Hencken) that seem to have been made of one piece of 
bronze hammered out.  Can anyone out there refer me to some examples of 
Irish iron cauldrons from the "Viking Age"?

An lastly, this will perhaps seem like a stupid question but please bear

with me.  I have seen examples of Scandinavian "skillets" that consist
of a 
shallow iron disk affixed by a single or double rivet to an iron handle 
about 24 inches or so long.  These appear to have been for cooking 
unleavened flat breads and such.

  My question is what, if anything, did the early Irish use for a 
"skillet"??

    If anyone can refer me to some better sources than I have found thus
far 
I would appreciate it.

  Thank you for your time,

   William Russell

**************************************************
Happiness is more generally and equally diffus'd among Savages than in 
civilized societies. No European who has tasted savage life can
afterwards 
bear to live in our societies.
       -Benjamin Franklin, 1770

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