The origins of mayonnaise are enveloped in deepest
mystery, buried beneath thick folds of legend. In fact, much as if it were smothered in, well, mayonnaise.
Does the name indicate its provenance? Perhaps.
The Old French for "egg yolk" was "moyeu". From this, "moyenaisse" to "mayonnaise"?
Did it orginate in the southwestern French town of Bayonne as "bayonnaise"?
Perhaps it was created by the chef of the Duc de Richelieu in the Minorcan port of Mahon?
My favourite story, and the one I prefer to believe no matter what is this:
In 1589 the Duc de Mayenne refused to participate in the Battle of Arques until he had finished a meal of chicken in a creamy white sauce: "mayennaise".