E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Board of Green Cloth.
So called because the lord steward and his board sat at a table covered with green cloth. It existed certainly in the reign of Henry I., and probably earlier, and was abolished in 1849.
1
“Board of Green Cloth, June 12th, 1681. Order was this day given that the Maides of Honour should have cherry-tarts instead of gooseberrytarts, it being observed that cherrys are threepence a pound.”
