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"The Banqueting House, Whitehall. By Inigo Jones." —D'Anvers, 1895

Banqueting House

"The Banqueting House, Whitehall. By Inigo Jones." —D'Anvers, 1895

"The Roman people reclined at their meals. On each couch there were commonly three persons. They lay with the upper part of the body reclined on the left arm, the head a little raised, the back supported by cushions and the limbs stretched out at full length, or a little bent; the feet of the first behind the back of the second, and his feet behind the back of the third, with a pillow between each. When they ate, they raised themselves on their elbow, and made use of the right hand. A banqueting-room generally contained three couches, holding nine guests, and, from the number of couches, was called <em>riclinium</em>. The following representation of such a room is from one at Pomopeii. In the centre is a pedestal to receive the table." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Banqueting room

"The Roman people reclined at their meals. On each couch there were commonly three persons. They lay…

A boar's head is carried into a banquet hall accompanied by musicians. The boar's head festival we know today originated at Queen's College, Oxford, England. Legend has it that a scholar was studying a book of Aristotle while walking through the forest on his way to Midnight Mass. Suddenly, he was confronted by an angry wild boar. Having no other weapon, the resourceful Oxonian rammed his metal-bound philosophy book down the throat of the charging animal, whereupon the brute choked to death. That night the boar's head, finely dressed and garnished, was borne in procession to the dining room, accompanied by carolers singing "in honor of the King of bliss."

Boar's Head Festival Procession

A boar's head is carried into a banquet hall accompanied by musicians. The boar's head festival we know…

"So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen." Esther 7:1 ASV <p>King Xerxes and Esther sit on a couch together. Xerxes holds his royal scepter.

Esther Hosts a Banquet for King Xerxes and Haman

"So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen." Esther 7:1 ASV King Xerxes and Esther…

"So when he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and sat down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?" John 13:12 ASV <p>Illustration of Jesus, kneeling at his disciples' feet, washing them over a basin. The disciples hands are open in a questioning gesture. Other disciples sit at the banquet table and watch the scene. Judas looms in the shadows in the background. Arched windows and drapery decorate the room.

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet to Show the Importance of Baptism and Penance

"So when he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and sat down again, he said unto them, Know…

"And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:39-42 ASV <p>Illustration of Mary sitting at Jesus feet, listening to him speak, while her sister Martha runs around the house, serving people. Martha is on the left, holding a tray. Three men and one woman stand behind columns and listen to Jesus. There is a small table with cups and a pitcher on it.

Jesus Tells Martha to Stop Worrying and Be More like Mary

"And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet, and heard his word. But Martha was…

And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment, and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment." Luke 7:37-38 ASV <p>Illustration of Mary Magdalene drying Jesus' feet with the hair on her head, after she washed them with her tears and before she anointed them. The Pharisee named Simon is sitting next to Jesus. Several other guests sitting around a banquet table, discussing the scene. An open window in the background reveals palm trees and some buildings.

Mary Magdalene Washes Jesus' Feet with Her Tears, Wipes Them with Her Hair, and Anoints Them with Perfume

And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in…

"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs come and licked his sores." Luke 16:19-21 ASV <p>Illustration of the rich man, sumptuously clothed in robes and eating a feast with many guests. A harpist plays in the background. Men and women eat and drink. There are arched windows in the background and an arched entryway leading to stairs. On the stairs is Lazarus, a beggar. Dogs are licking at his sores and his arms are raised in a gesture of begging.

Lazarus, the Beggar, and the Rich Man

"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every…