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Texas ISD School Guide
Texas ISD School Guide







Short Stories for Teachers

What Is the Origin of Table Setting?
By:Cameron Delaney

The modern-day table setting dates back to medieval England, when the salt cellar, or container, served as the centerpiece and guests brought their own utensils to dinner. Forks and china are relatively modern additions to the table.

History
According to Washington State University, the Anglo-Saxons began the practice of setting the table around the year 1000 A.D. At a formal dinner, guests took their seats based on the placement of the salt cellar. To "sit above the salt" meant a guest held a place of honor.

Features
The Anglo-Saxons began using clean cloths to cover the rough wooden tables used at meals. They called this practice "laying the board." In addition to the salt cellar, the table held cups, bread baskets and serving dishes or bowls, writes Claudia Quigley Murphy in "The History of the Art of Tablesetting."

Utensils
Some dinners featured plates made of hard bread, called "trenchers." Forks did not exist, and guests brought their own knives and spoons.

Time Frame
Wealthy nobility started adding silver dishes and utensils to their table settings. In the 17th century, the fork--an Italian invention--came into widespread use.

North America
Early European settlers in North America used knives, spoons and cloth napkins. They made plates out of wood. By the time of the Revolutionary War, china or pottery dishes were more common.

Table Setting Today
Today, a typical American table setting includes a dinner plate with a napkin and fork on the left and a knife and spoon on the right. A drinking glass sits at the top, right-hand side of the plate.






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