Manchetts for the Queen’s Maides

From Ordinances made at Eltham in the 17th year of King Henry VIII.

‘In the morning one chet lofe, one manchet, one gallon of ale; for afterwards one manchett, one gallon of ale; for after supper one chet lofe, one manchet, two gallons of ale, dim’pitcher of wine.’

Apparently only dukes and duchesses, and such people, the master of the household, clerks of the kitchen and maids of honour, were served with manchets. The date is 1526, and this information is taken from the Harleian M.S., No. 642, British Museum. It is inserted because a correspondent wished to know when manchets were served at Court and in whose reign.