2nd course. Jelly Blancke in Rocks Pott. Rudge Mange Royal in barrye. Pecock in hackley. Rooe reverste. Bittores larded. Connyes larded. Coungers gr. in soild. Knotts or good Wytts. Brawne or Carpe gr. on soppes in sharpe sawce. Phesaunt larded. Peions. Snights. Venison in paste Royall of fallow and red. Florentyne garnisshed. The Cheste board garnisshed. The tarte melior. Leach Lemoney. Fritters sharp. A Subtlety of ——.
3rd course. Jelly Rubie gilt. Caudelet Royalle. Crane larded. Rayles. Plovers green. Fresh Sturgion. Quailes. Feasaunt in his Royaltye. Larks. A subtletye made of a Castle garnished with armes of England, Fraunce, Ireland, and Spaine. Great Burt in Soile furnishes garnished. Red Deer backt froit. Oranges conserved in paste. Tarte borbonett. Leach Viand. Fritters Roisset. A subtletye made wherein shalbe enclosed with four pillers a device representing vii Cardinal Vertues with their scriptures.
Apparently each of these was reduplicated three times, except the subtleties; and the three “messes” seem to have been one for the Queen, one for the Bishop (i.e., of Winchester, who had crowned her that day) and one for the two ladies who sat at her board. That this distinction was carried out may be inferred from the following note:
Servers.
The Earl of Sussex for the Queen.
Sir Humphrey Ratcliffe for the Bishop.
Sir Anthony Browne for the Ladies.
The most noticeable peculiarity beyond its variety is the apparent setting on of salt and sweet together which is still a custom in Eastern feasts, and the making a second and a third course, as of another complete dinner, also of salt and sweet dishes. The crown of each was the “Subtelty,” a comparatively artistic design in jelly and candied sugar, something like a modern trifle, but always utilized for bearing the motto of the feast, and consequently it was probably the last to be demolished. No wines are mentioned in this manuscript. It must have taken a long time even to eat a morsel of each selection.
And after the feast was over would come into the hall, as was the custom with her progenitors, the gentlemen of her Chapel Royal and perform their play about Humankind and the good and bad angels. The customary prayer for the Queen by the performers, would close the proceedings.
“Athenæum,” 1st September 1905.
FOOTNOTES:
[93] A copy is preserved by the Society of Antiquaries.