The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-02-25
SOME SAXON CUSTOMS.



How Our Remote Ancestors Ate, Drank
and Transferred Real Estate.
1t seems somewhat paradoxical, per-
haps, to use the term table manners
about people who had no tables
strictly speaking. but a board that.
when required, was brought out from
its place Ut storage and placed upon
trestles, and on this, after covering
with piece Of carpet or tapestry, the
meal was placed. From this source
comes our word "boarder;" one who
sits at our board 10 eat, hut who is not
Of the family.
The salt-ccllar was the most im-
portant article upon the table. 1t was
very large, mado with cover and.
when the host could afford 1t. was Of
solid silver elaborately chased. 1t oc.
cupicd the place OF honor on the table.
and the most distinguished guests
sat above it. Thus ito sit below tho
SALT shows the position of an inferior.
The meats were brought in on spits,
just rs they were cooked, and in that
way passed around by the servants to
the guests. who in the more bnrbarous
times tore off portion as best they
could. When they were little further
advanced in civilization there was a
vcarver who held the meat in one hand
while he cut with the other. The guests
helped themselves, using their hands,
throwing the bones and refuse 10 tho
dogs and cats. of which there WAS a
goodly number. and which scrambled
for their share among the rushos. A
few had knives shaped like razors, but
forks were unknown. Even the great
Elizabeth ase with her fingers. In her
reign, however. commerce was extend
ed and luxuries began to appear; porce-
iains and glasses to drink from instead
OF pewter mugs. In her bathroom she
had mirrors. and this was considered
great extravaganza.
AT first, two persons ate from ono
''trencher" These trenchers were
nothing more than u huge slice of
bread. Two qualities of bread were
made; one fine. to be eaten; the other
of coarse. inferior flour, which was cut
in substantial slices and used rs plates.
After the meal was ended, if the guest
or member of the family was unusually
hungry he was at liberty to eat his
plate, which was found to be quite pal
atable in consequence of having soaked
up the gravy; if he did not choose to
devour it, it was placed in the aims
basket. which was always to be found
in the dining hall and into which was
gathered the broken food and sent out
to the poor. waiting at the gate.
When plates first came into use the
rich provided themselves with hand
some silver ones, while the poorer
classes had to be content with those
made of pewter or wood.
Every one had his drinking horn OF
cup. Usually it was horn claborately
carved and ornamented with gold and
silver, and considered very valuable
article among u mans possessions.
The drinking horn was often left by
will, as in later times people be.
queathed snuff boxes and as now they
might dispose of valuable watch OF
diamond ring.
In the transfer Of land, before the
SNoUo" Va Wy oCNL Wtto
duced. tho owner gave something ii
pledge as an assurance or token of tho
contract, and in such cases it was moi
uncommon to make use of the drinking
horn for this purpose. One family hello
their estate from Canute by his drink
ing horn. This was their sole proof.
One can get from this fact an idea o.
the value which was attached to this
article of personal property. Probably
the expression taking horn" coult
be traced back to the use of this form
of drinking utensl, for they were ST
fashioned, as were the first drinkin:
glasses also, that they could not b.
placed in all upright position. therefore
il became necessary rs soon rs the,
were filled to swallow their contents a
once. From their propensity to tumble
over is said to have come our wore
''tumbler." as applied to drinkin!
glass. Louise Phillips, IN Current.