Anna, Duchess of Bedford, used to get lethargic late in the afternoon between breakfast and supper. She would have her servants sneak her a pot of tea and some breadstuffs. However, later it developped into a social ritual where she invited friends over and the drank tea and munch on dainty sandwiches, sweets and pastries. Soon, other upper class families were following in the duchesses' footsteps. Tea was usually taken in the gardens, dining room or parlour. The household's finest china was brought out for the occasion.
As the tea time tradition spread from the upper to the lower classes. The tea was taken at the same time of day; however, there were no sweets served but rather bread, butter, pickles and cheese. The Victorian elite, in the meantime changed their tea time to high tea. It was a combination of afternoon tea and evening supper. The term "high tea" comes from the fact that it was taken at the high time of the day, between 4 and 5 pm. It was sipped at high stools in tea shops, a buffet table or a counter.
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