An account of how the earl of Worcester lived at Ragland Castle before
the civil wars which began in 1641 also exhibits his manner of life
in great detail: "At eleven o'clock the Castle Gates were shut and the
tables laid: two in the dining-room; three in the hall; one in Mrs.
Watson's appartment, where the chaplains eat; two in the housekeeper's
room for my ladie's women. The Earl came into the Dining Room attended
by his gentlemen. As soon as he was seated, Sir Ralph Blackstone,
Steward of the House, retired. The Comptroller, Mr. Holland, attended
with his staff; as did the Sewer, Mr. Blackburn, and the daily waiters
with many gentlemen's sons, from two to seven hundred pounds a year,
bred up in the Castle; my ladie's Gentleman Usher, Mr. Harcourt; my
lord's Gentlemen of the Chamber, Mr. Morgan and Mr. Fox.

"At the first table sat the noble family and such of the nobility as
came there. At the second table in the Dining-room sat Knights and
honorable gentlemen attended by footmen.

"In the hall at the first table sat Sir R. Blackstone, Steward, the
Comptroller, Secretary, Master of the Horse, Master of the Fishponds,
my Lord Herbert's Preceptor, with such gentlemen as came there under
the degree of knight, attended by footmen and plentifully served with
wine.

"At the third table in the hall sate the Clerk of the Kitchen, with
the Yeomen, officers of the House, two Grooms of the Chamber, etc.

"Other officers of the Household were the Chief Auditor, Clerk of
Accounts, Purveyor of the Castle, Usher of the Hall, Closet Keeper,
Gentleman of the Chapel, Keeper of the Records, Master of the