High table facts for kids
The high table is a special dining table found in the large dining halls of some universities, especially in places like the United Kingdom and North America. It's where the teachers, professors, and important guests sit to eat, while the students usually sit at other tables in the main part of the hall.
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What is a High Table?
A high table is a special place for senior members of a university, like professors and their guests, to eat. It's a tradition that helps show respect for the university's leaders. You'll often see these tables at older universities.
Where Are They Found?
High tables are very common at famous universities like Oxford and Cambridge in the UK. You can also find them at:
- Dublin
- Durham
- University of London
- University of St Andrews
- University of Manchester
- University of Bristol
- Queen's University in Canada
- University of Notre Dame in the United States
- The University of Trinity College and Massey College at the University of Toronto
- University of Hong Kong
A Special Place to Eat
The high table is usually placed at one end of the dining hall. It often sits on a slightly raised platform, making it stand out. This table is typically set across the width of the hall. The other tables, where students eat, usually run along the length of the hall.
For more formal dinners, especially in the evenings, people sitting at the high table might wear special clothes. This can include a dinner jacket or traditional academic gowns.
A Look Back in Time
The idea of a high table comes from a very old way of eating. In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, everyone in a large household, from the lord to the servants, would eat together in one big hall. However, they would sit at different tables based on their importance. The most important people sat at the "high table."
Seating and Food
In the past, the high table often had comfortable chairs, while the other tables had simple benches. Today, many dining halls have chairs for everyone. The food served at the high table can also be different, and sometimes even more special, than the food served to the students.
Where Else Can You Find Them?
This special dining setup isn't just for universities. You can also find high tables in other places with long traditions, such as:
- Some boarding schools (like the fictional Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books!)
- The Inns of Court in London, which are professional associations for lawyers.
More Than Just a Table
Sometimes, the phrase "high table" is used in a different way. It can describe things that are thought to be typical of the teachers and staff at famous universities like Oxford and Cambridge. It suggests a certain way of thinking or a particular lifestyle.
