Tudor Meal at Manor Lodge
A Tudor Meal at Sheffield Manor Lodge
Friday 15th July 2011
On July 15th, Caledonians and friends - at least 40 of us - gathered at the Visitor Centre at Manor Lodge for a good evening meal, produced by Tony Dunn and his staff from Manor Farm. The liver pate was delicious, as was the rest of the Tudor-style meal, finishing with delicious march-pane sweetmeats. The guests were waited on by a comely serving-wench (our President) in Elizabethan costume, which included a ‘bumroll’ - a sort of “stuffed cushion used by Tudor women to make their petticoats swell out, in lieu of the farthingales which were more expensive…”
 |
 |
Mary Queen of Scots, in full Tudor costume, greeted us with a regal presence during the meal, which was very fitting, as she was imprisoned in Sheffield Castle for many years, and no doubt valued her sojourns in Manor Lodge, enjoying her favourite recreations of riding and hunting while the castle was being periodically ‘sweetened’.
 |
 |
After the meal, we went in groups to the refurbished Turret House, which is well worth a visit to look at the repaired ceilings and rooms furnished with tapestries and paintings, and the dining room set out with table laden with the type of food - swan, board’s head - that may have been eaten at that period.
 |
 |
We were entranced by Bess of Hardwick in Elizabethan costume, who gave a good insight into her life at Sheffield Castle and the friendship between her and Mary Stuart - until the beautiful Mary’s friendship with Bess’s husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury, became too public. After a steep climb to the top Turret room (achieved by many determined older members too) we heard from Mary herself, 6 ft. tall and clothed in regal black, of her imprisonment and restricted accommodation and the injustice she felt she was under from her jailers.
 |
 |
A most interesting evening, with historical insights which made the venue come to life, and good too to see the restorative work which has been carried out and the archaeological finds - still ongoing - at Manor Lodge. Many thanks to Sheila for arranging it all for us.
John Clark
