.johindes

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This is the dining table in the great hall.. or great chamber. Its the biggest and best lit room in the house. The fixed benching around the walls, 19 chairs and a leather couch made for extensive seating. The preparation of the table and serving the meals were formal occasions for which the servants had livery and specific roles. The Butler would bring the white linen cloths from the buttery ( where we came into the house) He would then cover the table and cupboard. Next he would bring out the main salt cellar. Mr Wynn had a double silver one. The carving knives would then be set before Mr Wynn, along with a basket of bread cut from the tops of the loaves cooked in the oven. This is where the saying the Upper Crust comes from. The first course or "mess" would be a range of dishes, meats, vegetables, pottage and sweets. What the guests didnt eat was food for the other members of the household. Then the second course would be more extravagant foods with the table being swept between each course. Finished off with a dessert of fruit or custards and sweet wine. Then towels would be laid out for the guest to wash their hands in the bowls on the cupboard. Then after dinner the furniture would be pushed back for the entertainment. Thank you for looking xxx