p. [55]. Sewer. Fr. esculier, Lat. scutellarius, whence also is derived scullery. The sewer’s office was practically to bring and arrange the dishes.
p. [57]. Winking and watering. More or less difficult in the days of primitive chimneys, or no chimneys at all.
p. [60]. Upper crust. In the old ovens, which were heated by faggots withdrawn before the bread was put in, this was even more distinctly the best part.
p. [60]. Carving of flesh, &c. This more properly belongs in a book given over to recipes and the like, as the description of the dishes is more interesting than the special knack of serving each one.
p. [62]. Need not fear, &c. Almost the only suggestion of any indignity in the service.
p. [63]. He ... and look you. The change of person is Russell’s.
p. [63]. As brown as a water-leech. Is the allusion possibly to shoes of dark-brown colour? Leeches are usually described as black.
p. [65]. Bankers. Translated bench-covers; but the context suggests rather bolsters. The bench-covers were doubtless cushions; hence the transition from the one meaning to the other is easy.
p. [67]. By the license of his estate. This seems to point to a Sumptuary Law. In 1483, it was decreed that none under the rank of a lord might wear cloth of gold, none under a knight, velvet, &c.
p. [67]. Wound. A sort of turban?