Pretzels originated in Europe during the Middle Ages. A monk was making unleavened bread for Lent with flour and water because eggs, milk and lard were not consumed as part of the Lenten fast. He twisted some of the dough into the shape of people praying with both arms folded across their chests.(can you see it?)  He decided it would be a perfect treat for children learning to say their prayers. He called the treats pretiola, the Latin word for "little reward."