I see lots of questions and speculation on the 'proper' drinking and storage vessels for mead by those interested in being historically correct. So, I'm digging up pictures and references for those people, in the hopes that they'll find what they are looking for! It goes without saying that if you have a reference I haven't found yet, *please* send it to me, so I can put it here for others to find.

Historical evidence of 'proper' drinking cups for mead is somewhat sketchy, but there are many digs that have turned up some fascinating drinking vessels. If you'd like to read some more about drinking period drinks, in period drinking vessels, here are some articles to peruse:

They say that myths and legends have their basis in truth. Who knows for sure? But the tales of many cultures around the world are fascinating, and even if they are truly just stories (and lets face it, most stories have at least *some* grain of truth somewhere), they are illustrative to one level or another of the culture from which they arise. In any case, there many tales that contain references to mead. I collect these, and will post them here as I find them. If you have a legend or historical tale about mead to share, email it to me, and we'll post it. 

by Michael Sisson (reprinted with permission from the Fall 1986 AMA Newsletter)

 In the mid-1800's there was a revolution in France that continues to have  important consequences for us up to the present day, although no blood was spilled and no kings lost their heads. 

It was led by Louis Pasteur, whose discovery of the role of yeast cells in alcoholic fermentation officially changed our conception of the processes involved in the making of wine, beer, and mead. Pasteur's experiments were aimed at helping the ailing French wine industry of his time, but his findings have been applied to a much broader range of questions since then. 

Sir Kenelm Digbie, in his book "The Closet.....Opened", written in the 17th century says: "The Meathe is singularly good for a consumption, stone, gravel, weak-sight, and many many more things. A chief burgomaster of Antwerp used for many years to drink no other drink than this and though he were an old man, he was of extraordinary vigour, had always a great appetite, good digestion and had every year a child". There are many references in texts and literature the world over. Here is what we've found. If you know of others, please let us know.