For travelling and for hunting the Earl’s stables contained vj Gentle Hors, iiij Palfreis (one for my Lady and three for my Lady’s gentlewomen), iij Naggs, iij Sumpter Hors and Mail Hors (for carrying the bed, coffers, and coats of mail), vij Hors for the use of servants, and vij Charriot-hors to drawe in the Charriot.
Very precise rules are given for the serving of meals. Breakfast was served at eight, and dinner at eleven, each morning. Among the rules to be observed for the serving of meals are these:—
First when they go to Cover, Hee [the Usher] must go before them through the Hall, crying ‘By your leaves Gentlemen, stand by.’
If any unworthy Fellow do unmannerly sett himself down before his Betters, he must take him up and place him lower.
Let the best fashioned and apparrelled[apparrelled] Servants attend above the Salte, the Rest belowe.
If one Servant have occasion to speak to another about Service att the Table, let him whisper, for noyse is uncivil.
What my Lord and Lady had to eat for breakfast is shown in the following extracts:—
Braikfastis of Flesch Days Dayly
thorowte the Yere.