Christmas In The Castle

 

During the Christmas of 1507, Edward Stafford the Duke of Buckingham, held a Christmas celebration in Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire. Throughout the twelve days he provided lavish hospitality and gave a number of splendid banquets.

The last banquet of the holiday, held on the Feast of Epiphany (January 6th) was the most magnificent of all when 459 people sat down to eat. Not only were there 134 noblemen and gentry all with their attendants, but there were such guests as the local abbot, the doctor, the chaplain, a hermit, a brickmaker and a joiner.

A household book was kept by the Duke�s secretary which included every item of food and drink consumed as well as items such as tapers, candles and hay for the horses of the guests. Among the provisions consumed were:-

36 rounds of beef

20 snipe

21 roach

12 carcasses of mutton

10 capons

4 dog fish

2 calves

108 great birds

10 whiting

4 pigs

72 little birds

1 fresh conger

6 suckling pigs

36 larks

17 flounders

2 lambs

9 quail

2 tench

22 rabbits

9 mallard

3 plaice

3 swans

23 widgeon

7 bream

6 geese

18 teal

6 large eels

2 peacocks

100 lampreys

400 eggs

2 herons

200 oysters

24 dishes of butter

18 chickens

1 fresh salmon

3 flagons of cream

16 woodcock

1 fresh cod

2 gallons of frumenty

1 salt sturgeon

259 gallons of ale

Many gallons of 4 different kinds of wine

 

 

 

 


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