Page:A History of Domestic Manners and Sentiments in England During the Middle Ages.djvu/470

 450 Hijiory of 'Doj7jeJlic Manners In the (ixteenth century, the articles of furniture in the hall con- tinued to be much the fame as in the century preceding. It continued to be furnillied with hangings of tapeftry, but they feem not always to have been in ufe j and they were ftill placed not abfolutely againft the No. 285. Frying Fritters. wall, but apparently at a little diftance from it, fo that people might conceal themfelves behind them. If the hall was not a very large one, a table was placed in the middle, with a long bench on each fide. There was generally a cupboard, or a " hutch," if not more, with fide tables, one or more chairs, and perhaps a fettle, according to the tafte or means of the poffeffor. We hear now alfo of tables with leaves, and of folding tables, as well as of counters, or delks, for writing, and dreffers, or fmall cupboards. The two latter articles were evidently, from their names, borrowed from the French. Cuihions were alfo kept in the hall.