ABSTRACT
There are many difficulties associated with a study of food and its relationship to religious identity, particularly in a multifaith society such as the one which resided in Valencia. There were three significant areas in late medieval and early modern Valencia in which food formed a major element in interfaith relations. From the time of the 1391 conversions until the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, there were numerous efforts in Valencians society to separate Jews, Muslims, Christians and converts into easily identified groups. Food was also important in Christian-morisco relations during the sixteenth century. This period was largely preoccupied with the same issues as previous activity against the conversos, such as fasting and food choices, although the focus of Inquisitorial activity was transferred to the Muslim practices of Valencia’s moriscopopulation. Discrepancies and contradictions between internal beliefs and external actions represent the key issue of religious identities in this period of Valencian history.
