A day in a Kings and Queens lifeThe king and queen had their own private bedroom. Some kings and queens had a servant sleep on a pallet on the floor in the same room so if the king or queen woke up in the night and wanted something they wouldn't have to go looking for a servant. The king and queen’s bedroom was usually known as a ‘solar’ due to the fact that it was design of the room with a high roof and windows. When a king or queen awoke they would have their face and hands washed in a bowl of water that would be brought up to the bedroom each morning by a servant. They would then go to the bathroom which was also known as the privy chamber, showers and baths weren’t very common back then in medieval times it was seen as a luxury.
The king and queen would then be dressed by themselves or by their servants. After getting dressed the king and queen would then go to a chapel service, where they would listen to Mass. After the chapel service, they would then go down and have breakfast with their nobles and attendants. Breakfast was typically just bread and weak beer, breakfast wasn’t overly popular so a king or queen didn’t always have it. The king and queen after breakfast would then have something like policy discussions with great the baron or bishop of the kingdom, chief ministers, the Chancellor and a Marshal. At this discussion a king or queen would issue new commands, administer justice, hear petitions or appeals. If a king or queen had no official business to conduct that day then he or she might go hunting, do tapestry, walk in the gardens or play cards. After the dinner, they would then either do business or have free time and do as they wish. At the end of the day, the king and queen would have another meal, it is smaller and simpler than dinner and was served with bread and beer. The king and queen would then go to bed early so the could make the most of the daylight the next day. |
Kings clothesA king would usually wear baggy underpants that were fastened by a tie, back then they were called ‘braies’ then a woollen ‘hose’ which is like a stocking was fastened up by the same rope as the braies, then a ‘chemise’ (shirt) was put one. They then had a tunic placed over the top made put of wool, silk, cotton or velvet. A ‘surcoat’ which was like a second tunic was usually worn over the top it was shorter in length and had wider selves. The outfit would then have ‘hood’ or ‘mantle’ it would be pulled over you head to keep the kings head warm when it was cold. although the hood was used more as an accessory rather than something to keep your head warm, it was usually trimmed or covered in jewels. It was finally finished with a belt and shoes.
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Queens clothes A queen’s outfit was fairly similar to the kings except instead of shirt and braies as their undergarments a queen would wear a linen ‘shift’. She would wear a surcoat as well expect it didn’t have any sleeves and was cut out at the sides to help emphasise her figure. If a queen was married she was expected to cover her hair in public.
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DinnerThe main meal of the day which was dinner (we call it lunch) it was held around midday and would go for a couple of hours. It was very formal, it was an important time for the king and queen to show his or her wealth, power, and grace. The closer you were seated next to the king or queen showed how important you were. The meals was served on ‘trenchers’ which were large pieces of slightly stale bread, they would have several courses which were served like a massive buffet on the table where the king or queen and his guest could eat what they wished. First course was usually boiled or stewed meat, on fast days they would eat fish. It would be served with bread and wine or beer, it would then usually be finished off with fruits and nuts. The second course consisted of roast meat that was hunted that day by the king or one of his people in the castle. On the side they would have sauces or dressing and vegetables. Bread was also severed again with wine, beer or ale. Third course (desert) would involve fruit based dishes, quinces, and fresh fruit depending on the season. They might also have small meat dishes like a sparrow or pickled sturgeon, it would then be finished off with a selection of cheeses.
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EntertainmentDuring the meal and after they would have entertainment it would include actors, jugglers, musicians and acrobats. The royals preferred slapstick, sarcasm, and practical jokes to entertain them. Some of the guests of the dinner might have also performed something if they were talented. They might have also pushed the tables aside and danced or played party games.
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