Decorate and care for your table with these three tabletop tips

You have sent me as a present … everything which you have received during the past five days; twelve note-books of three tablets each, seven tooth-picks; together with which came a sponge, a table-cloth, a wine-cup, a half-bushel of beans, a basket of Picenian olives, and a black jar of Laletanian wine. 
LIII. TO UMBER

Tablecloths have been around for centuries, or, to be more precise, millennia – the first known reference to tablecloths came from Roman times, when the poet Martial mentioned them.  The middle ages saw widespread use of tablecloths across all classes; while fabric varied depending on what the buyer could afford, the value placed on these items was high, and owners took real care with not only how they were cleaned, but also how they were folded and set on the table. Moving forward in time,  ‘Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management’ (affiliate link) describes how her rule regarding tablecloths applies ‘equally to mansion and cottage. However simple may be the meal, and however coarse in texture the cloth, it should be clean, free from creases, and arranged smoothly with the centre fold forming a true line the whole length of the table.’ 

'Tea Table' from Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management (Wikimedia Commons)

What is the use of a tablecloth though, and why this widespread importance? For myself, trying to protect a wooden table from heat and water marks is the main reason I have been researching tablecloths recently, and in this article I will share three tips to help protect your table, including using and measuring the all-important tablecloth! 
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