Chronicles of Fashion; from the Time of Elizabeth to the Early Part of the Nineteenth Century, in Manners, Amusements, Banquets, Costume, Etc Volume 1

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1845 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER I. BANQUETS AND FOOD. "Madame, roangez s'il vous plait Et si tastez de tous nos vins: J'en ay du plus friandelet Qui soit point d'icy a Provins. Sus I ho I servitcurs barbarins, Apportez-nous ces hustandeaux, Poulets et chappons pelerins, Cignes, paons et perdreaux, Espaulles, gigots de chevreaulx, Becquasses, butors, gelinectes, Lievres, connins et lappereaulx, Herons, pluviers et alouettes." Queen Elizabeth, we are told, was exceedingly and habitually abstemious, seldom eating of more than two dishes, and partaking very moderately of those. Her example was not without weight amongst her courtiers, as certainly her court was not degraded by the absolute gluttony which disfigured that of her successor, James, countenanced and encouraged by its royal head. Refinement in eating had indeed been gaining ground for some period before the accession of Elizabeth, introduced primarily, it may be by that master in the art of "savoir-vivre," Cardinal Wolsey; yet, in the reign of Mary, foreigners were astonished at the enormous quantity of provisions consumed by the English court, though we are told that quantity did not reach a fourth part of what had been usual. Indeed, it sounds like romance to read of 30,000 dishes being served up at one wedding-dinner; and at another, of sixty fat oxen, being only one article of provision for the feast. This sounds like romance, yet it is matter of history. "They served up salmon, venison, and wild boars, By hundreds, and by dozens, and by scores. Hogsheads of honey, kilderkins of mustard, Muttons and fatted beeves, and bacon swine; Herons and bitterns, peacocks, swan, and bustard, Teal, mallard, pigeons, widgeons, and in fine, Plum puddings, pancakes, apple-pies and custard. And therewithal they drank...