DEVON historian Dr Todd Gray will be launching the original Devon pasty at the Lewtrenchard Manor this month, with the help of award winning chef Jason Hornbuckle, by recreating an authentic 16th century pasty from an ancient Devon recipe.

Dr Gray, chairman of the Friends of Devon's Archives, found fame five years ago when he discovered reference to an early 16th century pasty recipe at the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office.

This discovery on yellowing parchment, found tucked inside an old audit book dated to 1510, was 236 years older than the first recorded Cornish recipe for pasties.

The historic venison pasty will take pride of place at a lunch on Thursday, March 24 following a morning's lecture delivered by Todd on the history of Tudor and Jacobean food in Devon, part of a new series of Art of Food and Thought lectures being run at the Lewtrenchard Manor. For more information call 01566 783222.