Wining and Dining with Alexander Pope

What was it like to have dinner with 18th century poet Alexander Pope?

When it comes to food, Pope’s poetry scorns both the gluttonous and the miserly, preferring instead the modest ‘golden mean’. He pursued this ideal at his Twickenham villa as well, entertaining his friends at tables furnished with home-grown and locally produced food. But were Pope’s tastes actually as he claimed? His friends perhaps present a more complex picture.

Watch this video to find out what it was really like to dine with Pope, as well as to hear about the ‘Twickenham broccoli mafia’, luxurious pineapples, mutton pies at the Kit-Cat Club, and what drinking a toast could tell you about your social life.