One historical use for pies, besides eating, was for preserving and storing food—especially meat—over long periods, such as sea voyages or winter months.

Preservation and Storage

• Early pies, particularly in Roman and Medieval Britain, utilized thick, hard crusts designed not to be eaten, but rather to encase meats and protect them from spoiling.

• The crust acted as a baking dish and a storage container, sealing out air to preserve the fillings and extend their shelf life, making pies practical for travel or times when fresh food was scarce.

• On ships and long journeys, these pies helped food last longer, saving space and reducing the need to carry livestock or cooks.

Serving and Display

• In wealthy households and banquets, pies were used as centerpieces, sometimes crafted ornately or filled with surprises to impress guests when opened, rather than to be consumed as food.

These multifunctional historical uses highlight that pies were once as much practical tools for storage and presentation as they were a source of sustenance.