Dinner At The Castle

[RichardB]

The following account of a dinner which was given at the Castle of Sheffield, after the interment of the body of Francis Earl of Shrewsbury, on the 21st day of October, 1560, will shew the custom of that time with respect to funerals.

" At the Castle was prepared a great dinner, (that is to say) there were served from the dressors, besides my Lord's services from his own board, which were nine messes of meat, cccxx mess to all manner of people who seemed honest; having to every mess eight dishes, that is to say, two boyld mess, four roast and two baked; whereof one was venison, for there were killed for the same feast 50 does and 29 red deer.

And after the dinner the reversion of all the said meat was given to the poor, with a dole of two pence a piece, with bread and drink great plenty.

And after the same dinner every man was honourably contented for his pains."