E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
King’s Mess (The).
An extra mess of rice boiled with milk—or of almonds, peas, or other pulse—given to the monks of Melrose Abbey by Robert [Bruce], the feast to be held on January 10th, and £100 being set aside for the purpose; but the monks were bound to feed on the same day fifteen poor men, and give to each four ells of broad cloth or six ells of narrow cloth, with a pair of shoes or sandals.
