Lamprey
Considering the ancient renown of the lamprey, one might expect to hear a good deal more of it than we do at modern tables. Dr. Badham maintains that the name is English, and that the English have imposed their name on the rest of Europe. One of the English names for a small river lamprey is pride, which has the meaning of prick; and the word lamprey means a lang prey or pride.
This peculiar fish, which killed an English king by its attraction, is found in the Thames, but it is best in the Larks Severn, which it ascends in April and May in order to deposit its spawn. They are so rare at Christmas that they are said to be worth a guinea apiece. The question will be asked-Who in England eats lampreys at a guinea apiece? It is an old custom for the city of Gloucester in token of its loyalty to present a lamprey pie at Christmas to the English sovereign, and the fish must be got at any price. One would imagine that the kings and queens of England would prefer to have the lampreys when they are best-in April and May.
The lamprey should always have the gristle which supplies the place of a backbone extracted, and he may be cooked in any of the ways proper to eel; but in memory of the orchards of Worcestershire and the whole Severn country it is usual in those cases wherein wine might be required to substitute cider-which is indeed often used for white wine with other fish.