Public Dining in the Reign of Charles II (1630-1685)
The ritual of public dining and its trappings in the time of Charles II
Garter feast in the time of Charles II
c.1672RCIN 802369
The gathering of the Knights of the Garter has traditionally been accompanied by a feast. This etching illustrates one of Charles II's banquets for the Garter Knights, held in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle. At the dinner 145 dishes were served during the first course and the Knights were offered 16 barrels of oysters, 2,150 poultry, 1,500 crayfish, 6,000 stalks of asparagus and 22 gallons of strawberries. The tradition of the Garter feast continues today, albeit on a more modest scale, with an annual luncheon held at Windsor.