Queen's Closet Opened

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The Queen's Closet Opened is an anonymously written book originating from the kitchen of Henrietta Maria , the wife of King Charles I. It includes customs and recipes of the old aristocracy. Originally, it was published in 1655 after the execution of King Charles I and there are multiple editions. The recipe book was republished in 1656, 1658, 1659, 1661, 1662, 1663, 1668, 1671, 1674, 1679, 1683, 1684, 1696, 1698, 1710, 1713 and 1726 with edits and additions. The edition in the images is the 11th edition, published in 1710. It contains three parts: Part I: “The Pearl of Practice” (127 pages) , Part II: “A QUEEN’s Delight” (240 pages), Part III: “ The Compleat Cook:” (138 pages).


Background

Historical Context

The book was published in response to the scandalous exposure of The King's Cabinet Opened, which was published in 1645. [1]

Content

Author & Publisher

The author and editor of the book is thought to have been Walter Montagu the Queen’s long-time friend and courtier. [2] He is best known for his play The shepheards paradise . It was performed by Queen Henrietta Maria and a cast of courtier women in 1633. [3]


Physical Properties

Substrate

Binding

Navigation

Historical Significance

References

  1. L. Knoppers, “Opening the Queen’s Closet: Henrietta Maria, Elizabeth Cromwell, and the Politics of Cookery”, (Renaissance Quarterly, Vol. 60, No. 2 (Summer 2007), pp. 464-499.
  2. K. Britland, “RECENT STUDIES OF THE LIFE AND CULTURAL INFLUENCE OF QUEEN HENRIETTA MARIA” (English Literary Renaissance, Vol. 45, No. 2 (Spring 2015), pp. 303-321)
  3. S. Poynting, “ Montagu, Walter” (Wiley Online Library (22 September 2017))