In similarity to modern day meals, people of the Elizabethan Era had three meals a day: breakfast, dinner around noon, and supper around five (Sharnette & Dodd). A large majority of the townspeople, even some of the richer citizens, dined in the Great Hall after being seated appropriately by their wealth (Burton 137). The standard drink was ale, a much safer alternative to their hazardous water (Sharnette). There was especially delight in pastries and other sweet delicacies, including tarts, custard, cakes, and numerous other desserts (Sharnette). Overall, the three main components of a meal were bread, beer, and beef (Burton …show more content…
Poorer people of the era had a meager meal, and not even scraps from nearby street sellers and other locations could fulfill their needs (Picard). The poor were able to eat the leftovers that were given out from houses and halls (Picard). A diet eaten by the poor consisted of bread, cheese, eggs, pottage (Sharnette). Meanwhile, the wealthy were bountiful eaters (Sharnette). They ate an immense variety of foods, from meats to freshwater and seawater fish (Sharnette). Fruits such as peaches, pomegranates, and oranges were even considered to be more opulent and were only eaten by the rich (Sharnette)! However, despite all of the wealthier people’s hearty eating, the poorer people were considered to have a healthy diet; the rich weren’t able to note the nutritional value of vegetables (Sharnette). Therefore, weren’t able to fulfill the substantial needs of nutrition due to the lack of veggies in their courses