Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason is a department store situated in Picadilly, London and established in 1707 by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason. Its fame rests almost entirely on its upmarket food hall, though only one of its several floors is devoted to food. It is also the location of a celebrated tea shop.

Related Topics:
Picadilly - London - 1707

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In 1761, William Fortnum's grandson Charles went into service of Queen Charlotte, and the royal affiliation led to an increase in business. The store began to stock specialty items, namely ready-to-eat luxury meals such as fresh poultry or game served in aspic jelly.

Related Topics:
1761 - Queen Charlotte - Ready-to-eat - Poultry - Game - Aspic jelly

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During the Napoleonic War, the emporium would supply dried fruit, spices and other preserves to the British forces, and during the Victorian era it was frequently be called upon to provide food for prestigious court functions. Queen Victoria event sent shipments of Fortnum and Mason's concentrated beef tea to Florence Nightingale's hospitals during the Crimean War.

Related Topics:
Napoleonic War - Dried fruit - Spices - Preserves - British forces - Victorian era - Food - Queen Victoria - Beef tea - Florence Nightingale's - Crimean War

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In 1964 a huge four-tonne clock was installed at the shop's premises as a tribute to its founders. Every hour four-foot models of William Fortnum and Hugh Mason emerge and bow to each other, with chimes and 18th century-style music playing in the background.

Related Topics:
1964 - 18th century-style

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Fortnum & Mason is also famed for its luxury picnic hampers, which the store would first distribute to Victorian high society at events such as the Henley Regatta and the Ascot Races. These hampers - which contain dainties such as Stilton cheese, champagne and smoked salmon - remain popular with England's upper class, especially at Christmas time.

Related Topics:
Picnic hampers - Victorian - High society - Henley Regatta - Ascot Races - Stilton cheese - Champagne - Smoked salmon - Christmas

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