Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Bochkarev Photography
Why days of Christmas

Why do we eat turkey at Christmas?

It’s not just because it’s delicious.

IN A COUPLE of days you’re going to be sitting at the table having the second-best meal of the year (Stephen’s Day beats it and you know it does).

Amid the spuds, veg and gravy will be star of the show – the turkey. But why are we settling down to eat a massive chicken on the most important day in the Christian calendar?

Turkeys are, natively, a North American bird, so their insertion into British and Irish Christmases is somewhat unusual.

The tradition is rooted, like many traditions, in practicality.

Turkeys were imported into Britain in 1526, being sold for a tuppence each. This made them far cheaper than chickens and far less useful than cows (who produce milk, which was handy).

But why the Christmas tradition?

Historian Max Shadbolt says that two British monarchs played a large role in this: Henry VIII and Queen Victoria.

Henry VIII is reputed to have eaten turkey at Christmas, but a lean spell followed in England under Oliver Cromwell and the bird fell out of use as a Christmas food.

Once Queen Victoria ascended to the throne, trade with the USA had reopened and turkeys became freely available in the UK.

Even that didn’t put them on every table. Being more expensive than goose, it was still considered a luxury – A Christmas Carol features Scrooge buying one for Bob Cratchit.

But as the Victorian era continued and families became larger, turkey became a practical choice for a meat. It was not expensive and could be guaranteed to feed a family (and any relatives who might call in) and leave enough to be eaten over the Christmas period.

Read: These are the meals of a man who eats at Michelin-starred restaurants twice a day as he travels the world

Read: It turns out that loads of people use warm milk on their cereal

Your Voice
Readers Comments
49
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.