CHAP. XVI. GOLD AND SILVEll FURNITURE. SJ 



The very name of the field of the cloth of gold 

 would give a high idea of the value of the metal 

 there displayed; but if we look at it with other 

 eyes, the illusion will vanish. That cloth was im- 

 ported from Italy, and the whole imports of 

 England amounted to not more than fifty thou- 

 sand pounds, including the products of the east, 

 and the wines and other luxuries which the few 

 dignified priests and nobles consumed. The 

 value of the gold in this cloth, and indeed of the 

 cloth itself with the gold, could be but of small 

 amount. 



At a later period, in the reign of Henry VIII., 

 and indeed when some of the gold and silver of 

 newly discovered America must have been diffused 

 over Europe, we find a very particular account 

 in Stowe of the quantity of the precious metals 

 which was collected by Cardinal Wolsey. When 

 entertaining the foreign ambassadors at Hampton 

 Court, we learn that "two hundred and eight 

 beds were provided for the guests. Every cham- 

 ber had a basin and ewer of silver, and some gilt ; 

 yea, and some chambers had two livery pots with 

 wine and beer ; a silver candlestick, having in it 

 two sizes ; yet the cupboards in the two banqueting 

 rooms were not once touched.'* At the feast 

 given to these same ambassadors, " two cupboards 

 extending across the banquet chambers were piled 

 to the top with plate and illuminated, and without 



