Tudor Table Manners and the Rules of Dining in Henry VIII’s England

Tudor Table Manners and the Rules of Dining in Henry VIII’s England

Today I want to turn my attention to Tudor manners, and in particular the importance of table manners. In Tudor England, the way somebody behaved at the table could say a huge amount about their status, education, cleanliness, and to some even their morality. Meals became as much a performance as they were a necessity, especially among the wealthier households.

In the late fifteenth century and into the reign of Henry VII, medieval dining habits were still very visible. Many people ate from shared trenchers, which were flat pieces of stale bread that were used as plates, and poorer families would often have shared bowls and cups. Richer families increasingly used pewter. Forks were not really used in England at this point, so most people used their fingers or knives, and spoons. Forks began to become popular with some wealthy travellers later in the sixteenth century but were still unusual. This did not mean that table manners could be ignored. Tudor society expected people to control themselves during meals. Children from wealthier families were taught rules from a young age because behaviour reflected on the family.

During the reign of Henry VIII, dining became a far grander affair in noble households and especially in royal courts. Banquets were hosted that were designed to impress guests and also demonstrate wealth and power. Manners became increasingly important because nobles wanted to appear refined and civilised. People were expected to wash their hands before eating, partly because food was handled directly, but also because cleanliness was associated with good character. Servants would sometimes bring basins and towels before meals began. In some ways this probably did help reduce the spread of dirt and germs, even though Tudor people did not understand bacteria in the modern scientific sense.

There were many strict rules at the Tudor table. People who behaved rudely at a Tudor dinner were mocked, publicly corrected, or would lose the respect of those around them. People were expected not to grab the food greedily, speak with their mouths full, or wipe greasy hands on the tablecloth. Blowing the nose into the tablecloth or spitting across the table was considered exceptionally rude, although unfortunately these things did still happen at times. These are all things that to us would seem like common sense. Diners were expected to cut food neatly, sit properly, and avoid over drinking in formal company. Nobles especially had to appear graceful and controlled because their behaviour reflected honour and social rank. A badly behaved guest could embarrass themselves and their host.

What really interested me was how Tudor etiquette differed from some earlier medieval customs. Medieval feasting was sometimes rougher and louder, but the Tudors were increasingly starting to value more restraint and sophistication, this was influenced in part by the Renaissance ideas that were arriving from Europe.

Dining slowly became a sign of education and self-control. Some of these habits would develop into the far stricter and formal etiquette of the Georgian and Victorian periods, where dozens of specialised utensils and rigid social rules began to appear. Compared to the later centuries, Tudor dining was still surprisingly communal and much more personal.

I wonder how ordinary people of the era felt about all these rules. Do you think that they found them exhausting and pretentious?

Image info:

Henry Unton in a banquet

Date: 16th century