The social significance of game in the diet of later medieval Ireland

Abstract

While the vast majority of the meat consumed in later medieval Ireland (c. 1100–1600) was from domesticates such as cattle, sheep and pig, the hunting of game was important as a social marker. Access to game varied depending on social status, occupation and geographical location, and could be used to mediate social relationships. This paper focuses mainly on the zooarchaeological evidence from eastern Ireland, examining castles, and urban, rural and ecclesiastical sites of mainly Anglo–Norman origin. It will review this evidence for both truly wild mammal species such as red deer, wild pig and hare as well as for species such as fallow deer and rabbits, which were maintained in a managed environment before being hunted for food.