Hoodie-wearing yobs found to have been trespassing on English lawns since the 12th century

'Hoodies' were the scourge of Medieval London

By Laura Clout

They are the symbol of today's disaffected youth but a historian has revealed that the hoodie-wearing yob is not just a modern problem.

Professor Robert Bartlett, who is an expert on the Middle Ages, said hooded tops were also the garment of choice for 12th-century juvenile delinquents.

The teenage apprentice boys of London were lawless, violent and the scourge of the capital.

"They were away from home for seven years with no parental control and they would riot regularly for political and religious reasons," he told the Radio Times.
Hooded tops were worn by most citizens during medieval winters, he said, and they also served to hide the identity of young miscreants.

Prof Bartlett, of the University of St Andrews, said the life of the period resonated with today in other ways.

The English, who are now among the worst binge-drinkers in Europe, were also renowned as drunks in the Middle Ages.

"A surviving 12th-century Latin manuscript refers disapprovingly to 'Potatrix Anglia' - 'England the drunken'," said Prof Bartlett, who is presenting the series Inside the Medieval Mind on BBC4, starting next Thursday.

He will reveal the opening of the North-South divide, with the first recorded case - in 1120 - of a southerner complaining that he is unable to understand the speech of a northerner.

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Originally posted by juanruiz:

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That's treacle.

I thought that was caused by an enlarged prostate.

No, that's a trickle. If your symptoms include treacle, you have more than a prostate problem.

Anyway, get out of here, talking about health problems in the British food thread.

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talking about health problems in the British food thread.

I thought the two enjoyed a symbiotic relationship, like TV evangelists and Rolexes.

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Prof Bartlett, who is presenting the series Inside the Medieval Mind on BBC4, starting next Thursday.

Do you have a link, Roog? Sounds interesting.

It's "NEXT" Thursday.

This is as close as I could get for a link.

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This is as close as I could get for a link.

Oh darn, I read Radio 4 in the original post, instead of BBC 4. I don't think I can get that here. Will have to look for it on YouTube, or somewhere, or wait until it's shown in Canada, in about 10 years time.
Oh well, thanks anyway, it's back to "Friday's Without Borders" on Canadian TV until then.

dg, you haven't mentioned two other things Englishmen enjoy. There's nothing like a bit of gentleman's relish (note the instructions that it's to be used sparingly) and as for getting a nibble of some ginger nuts at teatime, well, what can I say?

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nibble of some ginger nuts

I thought ginger was a woman.

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I thought ginger was a woman.

No, Ginger was a horse in "Black Beauty"...but I thought it was a female too. Fred's got odd tastes.

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Ginger was a horse in "Black Beauty"...

Wrong Ginger.

Actually, I do enjoy Ginger Nuts, immensely. Privately, I like to dunk them, and suck on them, before nibbling.
Never had Gentleman's Relish though, don't think I'd enjoy it.

If I ever got up to Canada I'd look forward to savoring beaver in a pungent sauce.

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If I ever got up to Canada I'd look forward to savoring beaver

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Originally posted by dance girl:
Actually, I do enjoy Ginger Nuts, immensely. Privately, I like to dunk them, and suck on them, before nibbling.
Never had Gentleman's Relish though, don't think I'd enjoy it.

Yes, well, ginger nuts are more to a woman's taste than gentleman's relish is. The latter is made from anchovies, in a paste,and comes with the warning 'spread thinly'.

Another 'manly' taste is the Fisherman's Friend which, curiously, may be had at the checkouts in French supermarkets.

I love 'Fisherman's Friends', we can get them here. So I guess I like 'manly' tastes.

Something you can still buy but I don't think its Nuttalls Brand now is Mintoes I remember the Milkman selling them when I was little
And once tasted never forgotten
And local to me and still going strong are Uncle Joes Mintballs
Or go to the North east of Lancashire and they sell Kendal Mint Cake (which is a big Green Syrup lolly in a tin ) Sounds revolting But the Taste is off the Planet. Several different versions if you don't like the look of the Lolly including a cake and broken chunks(Like Cough candy)
More UK toffee...Arrow bars ,Blackjacks ,Fruit salad.McCowans and Hollands Toffee.

Kendal Mint Cake? Now you are talking! How could any British explorer go up the Hindu Kush or climb Everest without it ?

And there's Pontefract Cake, too. One of our dogs likes liquorice. We have to make sure we put her outside as soon as she's had some, for reasons which are obvious to anyone who knows the effect of the stuff ! [Note to Americans: Pontefract Cake is not a cake]

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Pontefract Cake is not a cake

AKA Pomfret Cake.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontefract_Cakes

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Pontefract, West Yorkshire was known in Norman times as Pomfret. It is often still referred to by locals as Pomfret, as are Pontefract Cakes.

Have you been digging again, Fred?

Are you Mole Man?