wer of London now had outer walls of fortress buildings
surrounded by a wide and deep moat, over which was one stone
causeway and wooden drawbridge. Within this was an inner curtain
wall with twelve towers and an inner moat. The palace within was a
principal residence of English monarchs, whose retinue was
extensive, including the chief officers of state: Lord High
Steward, Lord High Chancellor, Lord High Treasurer, Lord Great
Chamberlain, Lord High Constable, Keeper of the Seals, and the
King's Marshall; lesser officials such as the Chamberlain of the
Candles, Keeper of the Tents, Master Steward of the Larder, Usher
of the Spithouse, Marshall of the Trumpets, Keeper of the Books,
Keeper of the Dishes and of the Cups, and Steward of the Buttery;
and numbers of cat hunters, wolf catchers, clerks and limners,
carters, water carriers, washerwomen and laundresses, chaplains,
lawyers, archers, huntsmen, hornblowers, barbers, minstrels,
guards and servitors, and bakers and confectioners. The fortress
also contained a garrison, armory, chapels, stables, forge,
wardrobe for a tailor's workroom and secure storage of valuable
clothes, silver plate, and expensive imports such as sugar, rice,
almonds, dried fruits, cinnamon, saffron, ginger, galingale,
zedoary, pepper, nutmeg, and mace. There was a kitchen with
courtyard for cattle, poultry, and pigs; dairy, pigeon loft,
brewery, beehives, fruit stores, gardens for vegetables and herbs;
and sheds for gardeners. There was also a mint, which minted a
gold penny worth 2s. of silver, a jewel house, and a menagerie
(with leopards, lions, a bear, and an elephant). The fortress also
served as a state prison. Most prisoners there had opposed the
royal will; they were usually permitted to live in quarters in the
same style they were used to, including servants and visits by
family and friends. But occasionally prisoners were confined in
irons in dark and damp dungeons.

The King's family, immediate circle, and most distinguished guests
dined elegantly in the Great Hall at midday. They would first
wash their hands in hot water poured by servants over bowls. The
table had silver plate, silver spoons, and cups of horn, crystal,
maple wood, or silver laid on a white cloth. Each guest brought
his own knife in a leather sheath attached to a belt or girdle. A
procession of servitors brought the many dishes to which the
gentlemen helped the ladies and the young their seniors by placing
the food