After the dissolution of the monastery, the Rule of St. Benedict no longer applied. Students at evangelical monastery schools had different dietary requirements than the monks. Even meat made it back on the table!
16th-century table ware.
The students' meals are revealed in detail in a report by the monastery's administrator from November 10, 1576. For example, Sunday mornings there was "1. Beef ragout, 2. Soup, 3. Meat, four on the upper table, three on the lower table, … each meat dish 6 pounds, 4. Turnips or cabbage." Of course, weekday meals were simpler. For example, dried cod was served on Fridays. However, nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables were rarely on the menu.
Cheers!
The administrator's report also provides information on beverages. According to it, each student received a "quarter liter" of wine with their meal, also called a "Breyßgeuwer", likely a wine made from the Breisgau agricultural region. On high holidays, they received a double serving.
Meals were a raucous affair.
The monastery students seemed to like the food. Or maybe it was the wine... In examining the student drawings that were amongst the everyday items found at Alpirsbach, it is worth noting that all the students are drawn with smiling faces.
