Meals were not eaten at the times we do today. The lord's main meal might begin during late morning and go on until early afternoon. Many courses would be served while the lord and lady ate alone or with special guests.
There was far too much food cooked for the lord and lady to eat. This was so that the rest could be eaten by the senior castle staff after the lord and lady had finished. In the meantime, they all looked on and stayed hungry.
Those who did not get a chance to eat the lord's leftovers ate a simple vegetarian stew – pottage – every day.
