Food and recipes
Text: What's for dinner at the Tudor court? Image: illustration of Henry VIII and his queen tucking into a feast

Feasts were very popular during the medieval period, but when Henry VIII came to power he took them to a whole new level. The kitchen at Eltham Palace was the same size as 55 rooms put together and had 200 people cooking all sorts of food for the king and his guests. Up to 20 dishes could be served to the diners during a single feast!

Image: an illustration of Henry VIII and his court enjoying a feast

King Henry VIII is hosting an extravagant feast at Eltham Palace – time to take your place at the table! Click below to download a colouring sheet, and use pencils, pens or paints to create your own version of the scene.

Download your colouring sheet

What's on the menu?

  • Meat

    From cows and sheep to wild boar and deer, the royal kitchens spit-roasted lots of meat in front of big fires for Henry and his guests. They ate everything – even cows’ udders!

  • Friday fish

    The Tudors followed the Christian tradition of not eating meat on Fridays – they ate fish instead. They classed fatty whale meat as fish, and also beavers, whose tails they grilled.

  • Swans and flowers

    Some of the more exotic items on the menu were swans served with gold crowns and cooked peacocks. Flowers were used as decoration to make dishes look fancy.

  • Fruit

    Sweet fruit and nuts were served to guests at the end of a feast. Healthier vegetables such as peas, cabbages and lettuce were thought to be poor people’s food.

  • Ale and Wine

    Both ale and wine were served at Tudor feasts in large amounts. In a single year, Henry VIII and his guests drank enough ale to fill an Olympic swimming pool!

  • Marzipan

    This sweet paste is made from almonds, egg whites and sugar, and was often served at banquets made in elaborate designs. You can still find it on cakes like Battenberg today.

Meet a Tudor cook

Meet Tudor cook Thomas Griffin at Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire, to find out how to prepare a feast fit for the lord of the manor, how to make delicious Tudor biscuits, and what on earth marchpane is!

Plus, download our recipe card to have a go at making a tasty Tudor treat: Smartard Fritters (a little bit like a cross between cheesecake and pancakes). 

Step into a Tudor kitchen