FROM AGRARIAN HISTORY: ON LENTILS AND FAVA BEANS IN MEDIEVAL SERBIA UNTIL THE END OF THE 15th CENTURY

Abstract

The paper analyzes the cultivation and representation of lentils and fava beans in medieval Serbia until the end of the 15th century. Their use in the everyday diet of people was influenced by their high protein content. Serbian medieval sources (typikons, charters) indicate that lentil was an obligatory part of monastic meals. The available information on fava beans is scarce, but it can be concluded that they were used in the diet of the poorest social classes. Turkish census records (defterler) created immediately after the Turkish conquest of Serbian lands illustrate the economic circumstances of the time they were compiled and demonstrate the representation of legumes in the production of the time, prompting their analysis in this paper. The paper further briefly analyzes the works of Greek and Roman authors referring to the cultivation and use of legumes in the diet of people, and their usage in religious purposes. Legumes are also shown in the context of traditional Serbian culture.

Keywords

• serbia, the middle ages, economy, farming, lentil, fava bean, diet, defter