Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1885 — How Queen Bess Ate. [ARTICLE]

How Queen Bess Ate.

A reader of “Kenilworth” is apt to grow enthusiastic over the days of “good Queen Bess” and her brilliant court. If, however, he wishes to know bow thoroughly Scott’s magic pen has bewilded him, let him read any history which reveals the style in which the Queen and her court lived. The serving was of the roughest kind. Huge joints of meat were brought to the table on the roasting spits. The carver held the meat with one hand while he cut it with the other, and the guests helped themselves with their fingers. After eating what they wished, they ‘threw the remnants to the dogs and eats under the table. There were no forks with which to take up the meat and no plates to hold it. Huge slices of bread served for plates, and were called trenchers. These became soaked withgravy, and were often eaten with relish; if left, they were gathered in a basket and given to the poor. The furnishing of the immense palaces corresponded with the rudeness of the tables. The rooms were large and lofty, but uncarpeted, with nothing better than rushes. The furniture was scanty, indicating little taste in style of execution, and the great rooms looked bare and cheerless. The homes of New England mechanics to-day are far more comfortable than the palace of the great English Queen. Yet they did a great deal of good work in those days of rude living. It was the brilliant age of English literature and statesmanship. There was much “high thinking” then, showing that the mental and moral causes are more operative on men than physical causes.