Laurices
Encyclopedia
The term laurices refers to the fetus of the rabbit
(Oryctolagus cuniculus) prepared without evisceration and consumed as a table delicacy. The word is the plural of the Latin word laurex (variant laurix, n. masc., pl. laurices; English singular occasionally laurice), assumed to have been borrowed from an Iberian
source. The word is normally found in the plural number, since, due to their size, more than one would be served at a time. The rabbit was adopted by the Romans from Hispania
, whence it spread over western Europe, as did likewise the custom of consuming laurices.
As the domestication of rabbits became established, the source of laurices was extended to newborns, because it became possible to harvest them without sacrificing the breeding doe, the time of birth being able to be monitored.
speciality is with Pliny the Elder
(23
—79
) in his Naturalis Historia :
is mentioned by Gregory of Tours
(ca. 538
—594
) in his Historia Francorum ("History of the Franks"), Book V, 4:
Since Roccolenus is described by Gregory as being an impious rascal, Gregory's mention of this practice has been interpreted as disapprobation.
authorized the consumption of laurices during Lent and other fasts, declaring them to be a marine species, like fish or shellfish. For this reason there was a great burgeoning of cuniculture
in monasteries
during the early Middle Ages
.. The demand would have been high, considering that the ecclesiastical calendar of the time specified more than 180 fast days which religionists had to observe. The economics of cuniculture are also thought well suited to the monastic setting.
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
(Oryctolagus cuniculus) prepared without evisceration and consumed as a table delicacy. The word is the plural of the Latin word laurex (variant laurix, n. masc., pl. laurices; English singular occasionally laurice), assumed to have been borrowed from an Iberian
Iberian language
The Iberian language was the language of a people identified by Greek and Roman sources who lived in the eastern and southeastern regions of the Iberian peninsula. The ancient Iberians can be identified as a rather nebulous local culture between the 7th and 1st century BC...
source. The word is normally found in the plural number, since, due to their size, more than one would be served at a time. The rabbit was adopted by the Romans from Hispania
Hispania
Another theory holds that the name derives from Ezpanna, the Basque word for "border" or "edge", thus meaning the farthest area or place. Isidore of Sevilla considered Hispania derived from Hispalis....
, whence it spread over western Europe, as did likewise the custom of consuming laurices.
As the domestication of rabbits became established, the source of laurices was extended to newborns, because it became possible to harvest them without sacrificing the breeding doe, the time of birth being able to be monitored.
Earliest Historical Mention
The first known mention of this gastronomicGastronomy
Gastronomy is the art or science of food eating. Also, it can be defined as the study of food and culture, with a particular focus on gourmet cuisine...
speciality is with Pliny the Elder
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus , better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
(23
23
Year 23 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Pollio and Vetus...
—79
79
Year 79 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Augustus and Vespasianus...
) in his Naturalis Historia :
Gregory of Tours
The consumption of laurices during the fast of LentLent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
is mentioned by Gregory of Tours
Gregory of Tours
Saint Gregory of Tours was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours, which made him a leading prelate of Gaul. He was born Georgius Florentius, later adding the name Gregorius in honour of his maternal great-grandfather...
(ca. 538
538
Year 538 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Iohannes without colleague...
—594
594
Year 594 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 594 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Byzantine Empire :* Byzantine Emperor Maurice disposes...
) in his Historia Francorum ("History of the Franks"), Book V, 4:
Since Roccolenus is described by Gregory as being an impious rascal, Gregory's mention of this practice has been interpreted as disapprobation.
Pope Gregory the First
It is said that Pope Gregory IPope Gregory I
Pope Gregory I , better known in English as Gregory the Great, was pope from 3 September 590 until his death...
authorized the consumption of laurices during Lent and other fasts, declaring them to be a marine species, like fish or shellfish. For this reason there was a great burgeoning of cuniculture
Cuniculture
Cuniculture is the agricultural practice of breeding and raising domestic rabbits, usually for their meat, fur, or wool. Some people, called rabbit fanciers, practice cuniculture predominantly for show or hobby. The practice, however, has started to decline.-External links:* * *...
in monasteries
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
during the early Middle Ages
Early Middle Ages
The Early Middle Ages was the period of European history lasting from the 5th century to approximately 1000. The Early Middle Ages followed the decline of the Western Roman Empire and preceded the High Middle Ages...
.. The demand would have been high, considering that the ecclesiastical calendar of the time specified more than 180 fast days which religionists had to observe. The economics of cuniculture are also thought well suited to the monastic setting.
External links
- [ALBC] The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy: Rabbits Classification by Pope Gregory the Great. Site accessed 2007-02-08.
- [CERB] Club des Eleveurs de Races Belges de Ronquières en Belgique.
- [FAO] Lebas, F. et al. The Rabbit: Husbandry, Health and Production. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome, 1986. Online version at http://www.fao.org/docrep/X5082E/X5082E03.htm#Historical%20background.