A royal repast (early 14th century) - Pictures of feasts are not uncommon in ancient manuscripts, and form very interesting illustrations of domestic life in former days. This subject is made up from two drawings in the series of pictures of sacred history taken from MS Reg 2 B VII, the party at table being furnished by one, while the minstrel on one side, and the attendant bringing in the cup on the opposite side, are taken from the other. The figures in the group below are taken from the burlesque series of drawings at the feet of the pages of the Psalter. One of the most important parts of a rich entertainment was the minstrels and jogelours who attened to amuse the guests. Sometimes the minstrel chanted to the harp the ancient romances of chivalry, the national stories, or the exploits of the master of the feast or of his family. The harper beside the table seems to be occupied in this manner. When the guests were merry at their drinking, the minstels sang laughable stories, called fabliaux, which were frequently of the grossest description. The first of the four figures in this engraving is playing on a kind of dulcimer; the second has a trumpet, the third a tambourine; and the fourth an instrument of the lute or gitterne kind.