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Tour of Shibden

The dining room

The new king, Charles II returned from the continent with several European dining habits, which were slowly adopted in the provinces.

The main meal of the day was served in mid-afternoon by the servants who ate elsewhere - probably in the kitchen.

Child’s chair

Made in typical Yorkshire style this chair would have been made for the all-important first born son of the family who would probably have been tied into it for his own safety.

Spice box

This square box held the exotic spices under lock and key. Spices were highly valued in cooking and were extremely expensive. Not only did they spice up the food but often made the taste of the food acceptable! They disguised the taste of meat that was no longer fresh and put back some of the flavour lost in the course of drying and salting.

Cheese boat

This crescent-shaped cradle made of mahogany would have taken a whole cheese, a favourite dessert dish of the seventeenth century. It is on castors for ease of movement around the table.

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