Was the downfall of King Richard II accelerated by his love for rich custard?
In short: History often turns on grand political shifts, but the personal habits of monarchs played a surprising role in their undoing. Richard II was known for his taste for decadence, including the rich Crustade Lombarde. While a tart cannot topple a king alone, his indulgence reflected a broader, fatal detachment.
The Crustade Lombarde, or Lombardy Custard, emerges from the historical record in the Harleian Manuscript 4016. This medieval recipe calls for a blend of heavy cream, eggs, parsley, marrow, dates, and prunes, all encased in a pastry shell known as a coffin. The preparation requires a two-stage baking process: first, the crust is pre-baked with the fruit and marrow filling, and then the egg-and-cream custard is added and set until it achieves a slight wobble.
Beyond the culinary technique, the dish serves as a lens into the lifestyle of Richard II. His reputation for favoring opulent and decadent experiences was not merely a private preference; it was a defining characteristic of his reign. Historians suggest that this penchant for excess contributed to the political tensions that eventually led to his removal from power. While the custard itself is a benign, if rich, dessert, it symbolizes the disconnect between the monarch and the expectations of his court.
The recipe also highlights the flexibility of medieval cooking, particularly regarding religious observance. The instructions explicitly note that if the dish is prepared during Lent, the eggs and marrow should be omitted. This adaptation demonstrates how even the most indulgent foods were integrated into the strict liturgical calendar of the era. By examining such recipes, we gain insight into both the material culture of the 14th century and the personal excesses that helped define the political instability of the period.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: A Tart to Topple a King - Lombardy Custard
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