In England pears, are merely halved, poached in sweetened water and served with custard. They are not now normally prepared with any distinct extra flavours, unlike this very old receipt...

Original Receipt from The Forme of Cury By the Chief Master-Cook of King Richard II, c1390 (Cury 1390)

PEERES [1] IN CONFYT
Take peeres and pare hem clene. take gode rede wyne & mulberes [2] oþer saundres and seeþ þe peeres þerin & whan þei buth ysode, take hem up, make a syryp of wyne greke. oþer vernage [3] with blaunche powdour oþer white sugur and powdour gyngur & do the peres þerin. seeþ it a lytel & messe it forth.

[1] Peeres. pears. [2] mulberes. mulberries, for colouring. [3] Vernage. Vernaccia, a sort of Italian white wine.