Tripod cooking pot

During the early Middle Ages earthenware cooking vessels were used.  By the 1300s pottery had been replaced by metal, usually bronze, an alloy of tin and copper.  The most common shape was the cauldron with three legs and an angular handle at either side of the neck.  These pots were either hung from a chain over the fire, or stood directly in the flames.   The same design of pot, made in cast iron, was in general use up until 150 years ago.  It lives on in our image of the "witches cauldron".