Smith of Wootton Major by J. R. R. Tolkien

Author:J. R. R. Tolkien [J. R. R. Tolkien]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2014-12-17T16:00:00+00:00

of their father’s craft, or sometimes in the case of girls after their mothers such as ‘the Webster’s Fanny’. The names chosen are simple abbreviated names, showing little relation to their original forms: Ned, Tim, Tom, Nell, Nan, etc. This allows the use of Alf for the elvish apprentice. (This name is evidently applied to him by the Master Cook who introduced him.)

Cooking was an exception. Though a recognized and esteemed skill, it was not practised as a family craft, nor generally as a livelihood. There was nothing corresponding to eating-houses. Strangers on business could get food and lodging at the one Inn: it was called by no other name at this time, though over the door could still be seen a carved stone, much defaced by time, bearing apparently a representation of three trees and the inscription Welcō to þe Wode. But it was not used by the villagers. Domestic cooking was done in the home, by women and men – by women mostly unless they were busy craftswomen. But Master Cook was a public official, and important. He was maintained out of public funds, as were the supplies for public feasts. His office was not hereditary; he was chosen as far as possible by taste and talent. This and the succession was normally provided for by the MC choosing an apprentice in good time to train him before he retired. The apprentice was of course usually a youth of the village: several as a rule applied for the apprenticeship, since the office was an enviable one and with it went the Cook’s House adjoining the Hall. Though the waiting time before succession might be very long. The MC might retire at any time after he was satisfied with the attainments of the apprentice; but he could not be forced to retire, and was often reluctant to do so, although a decent pension and a comfortable cottage was provided. When he did retire, however, the Apprentice succeeded without debate, except in very unusual circumstances.*

*One such set of circumstances occurs in the tale: the death or departure of the MC before he had appointed an apprentice, or before the a. was regarded as trained or old enough for the responsibility. The behaviour of Grandfather Rider when the tale begins was altogether exceptional and odd. But it was possible for accidents to happen to an Apprentice. Actually Grandfather R. owed his position to such an accident (as well as his own versatile talents). The A. of the previous MC (who was already old and thinking of retirement) was killed by a falling tree on a day of violent storm not long before the Winter Feast. Rider offered his help in the emergency, and soon proved so clever that a few years later the MC was able to retire and hand over to him.

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