In the cities this was an age of luxury; but on the farms the laborer
was glad to get a bundle of straw for a bed, and a wooden trencher to
eat from. Vegetables were scarcely known, and fresh meat was eaten
only by the well to do. The cottages were built of sticks and mud,
without chimneys, and were nearly as bare of furniture as the wigwam
of an American Indian.
The rich kept several mansions and country houses, but paid little
attention to cleanliness; and when the filth and vermin in one became
unendurable, they left it "to sweeten," as they said, and went to
another of their estates. The dress of the nobles continued to be of
the most costly materials and the gayest colors.
At table a great variety of dishes were served on silver plate, but
fingers were still used in place of forks. Tea and coffee were
unknown, and beer was the usual drink at breakfast and supper.
Carriages were seldom used, except by Queen Elizabeth, and most
journeys were performed on horseback. Merchandise was also generally
transported on pack horses, the roads rarely being good enough for the
passage of wagons. The principal amusements were the theater,
dancing, masquerading, bull and bear baiting (worrying a bull or bear
with dogs), cockfighting, and gambling.