Most of us think of Treacle Tart as Harry Potters’ favorite dessert. I bought one in the covered market yesterday and indulged in a little local food lore. The real story is that there is a treacle well as part of the story of Frideswide. The term “treacle” in mediæval times meant an antidote to poison, so a treacle well was a healing well. Frideswide was a Mercian princess who lived in Oxford, was pursued by King Algar. She wanted to be a nun, so she fled, Algar marched on Oxford with his army, but was suddenly struck blind, presumably as punishment. For some reason Frideswide prayed that his Algar’s sight be restored: in answer the holy well appeared. The magical water (“treacle”) healed Algar and Frideswide was free. She built a church beside the well just outside of Oxford in Binsey near the Perch restaurant. The restaurant is a popular place to walk to across the meadow and along the sides of the Thames to the small village. Friedeswide was allowed to begin her nunnery and she became the abbess of a monastery on the site where Christ Church stands today.
For a recipe go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/treacletart_67656
Christ Church courtyard the evening I attended the British concert.
Leara Rhodes 