Go Easy On The Lampreys

Burial of King Henry I at Reading Abbey in January 1136: Harry Morley (1916)

Henry I died on 1 December 1136 after eating a large plate of lampreys in France. Preserving him for burial in England was a bit of a problem. 

Lampreys are an invasive pest in the St. Lawrence River watershed and the Great Lakes. Best to kill them when you find them. Apparently they are good to eat (although they may be high in mercury which is a problem). 

Syracuse: Eating Sea Lampreys:

Lamprey Bordelaise
• Bleed the lamprey by hanging it by the head and cutting the tail over and container to collect the blood. When there's no blood dripping anymore, dip the lamprey in boiling water for 1 minute.
• Take it out and peel it. Cut in 4 cm-thick (1,57 inches) slices. Put the slices in the container of blood.
• Cut the white part of the leeks into 7-8 cm-long (2,76-3,15 inches) whistles and them in butter.
• Add the diced ham, the shallots and onions. Sprinkle with flour and .
• with the wine and broth. Add the cloves and bouquet garni. Add pepper, salt a little. Add two crushed garlic cloves. Bring to a boiling point, then cook for 45 minutes over low heat.
• 45 minutes later, add the pieces of lamprey in the sauce, cover and cook again for 45 minutes.
•Remove the slices of fish, and them in another pan or skillet with Armagnac.
•Pour the equivalent of a glass of warm sauce over the blood in order to dilute it, and poor in the skillet. Stir well. Put back the lamprey, season and cook for 10 minutes with the lid on. Beat the sauce with butter.
•Meanwhile, toast the bread and rub it with the remaining garlic.Put the lamprey in a shallow dish, on the slices of bread. Put the leeks all around, with the sauce.