Did we have Jam before sugar?

[Mosaic]

An excellent breakfast has prompted deeper considerations, namely what people did to make something sweet to spread on bread, before sugar was widely available?
Would it be boiled up in honey - if so has anyone tried this, and what is it like? Surely it wouldn't have the setting qualities of sugar and that other stuff you put in jam to set it?

[Mosaic]

Thanks Trim - that's an interesting reference to sugar imports from the arab world in the middle ages, and it fits in with the pattern of cotton textile imports at the same date.
And after all, our word 'sugar' is a transliteration of the arabic word for sugar, so I think what we're feelng our way towards is that sugar has always been known about while trade contacts existed with the eastern mediterranean.....but in small quantities and hellish expensive.

[Mosaic]

Thanks again - have bought a copy for a whole penny and will read with relish...and possibly also jam.