During the Medieval era (500 - 1500 AD), the main form of entertainment for lords and ladies was holding of banquets at their castles. Together with invited guests of high nobility, the lords and ladies sat at the high table and ate rich food and wine served by squires while being entertained by court jesters who would try make the guests laugh and minstrels who would play music as requested. Outdoor entertainment involved jousts and hunting, mostly for the gentlemen. Indoor board games such as chess were common while the ladies would enjoy sewing and making fine embroidery. Dancing and singing were also commonplace.

Things really took off during the Elizabethan period from 1558 to 1603. It was an age in which there was quite a desire to acquire some social polish, therefore grand balls and parties were the order of the day. This was further enhanced by the explosive growth of printing . Invitations to these social events was by card, which really added to their prestige. Lords and ladies would compete to host the grandest, most spectacular balls, making sure the high and mighty in society were invited such as the king and queen, so that they would be the talk of the town for as long as possible.

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3 years ago