Traditional beverages of the szlachta court on the Belorussian lands of the Grand Dutchy of Lithuania in the first quarter of the 17th century (under the Mleczko’s manuscript from the Chreptowicz collection in the fonds of the Institute of Manuscript of V. I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine)

Abstract

The history of traditional beverages of the Belorussian szlachta of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the culture of their consumption in the first quarter of the 17th century are covered based on the materials of the manuscript of Orsha standard-bearer Mikolaj Mleczko, which is part of the Chreptowicz collection from the fonds of the Institute of Manuscript of V. I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine. Review of historical codicological features of the manuscript is given. Within the historical cultural context a range of old Polish receipts of spirit beverages of the first quarter of the 17th century is analyzed. Based on the texts analysis, it has been established that beer was the most popular beverage in Cholopieniczy estate, which belonged to Mleczko and was located in Orsha lands. Among other issues covered are private contacts of Mikolaj Mleczko, the area of Belorussian beverages distribution, peculiarities and technology of their production, and adoption of new receipts by local consumers – magnates and szlachta of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Specifics of the processes of traditional beverages preparation are covered within the history of cuisine culture of Baroque epoch.