The Royal Ban on Christmas Geese

During the Renaissance, the French monarchy placed strict culinary restrictions on what peasants could eat during the winter holidays. Geese and swans were classified as "royal birds" because of their elegance. It was strictly illegal for commoners to hunt or roast them for their Christmas dinners. Peasant families had to get creative, leading to the tradition of stuffing and roasting capons (roosters) and small game birds instead.