In Edward Ill's reign regulations sought to establish rules of dress so as to ensure people did not dress 'above their station'. The law of 1363 condemned 'outrageous and excessive apparel of diverse people, contrary to their estate and degree'. Indeed, these regulations also sought to prescribe the kinds of food appropriate to each *degree. For example, it stated that servants should have only one meal of flesh or fish in the day, and that their other food should consist of milk, butter and cheese. [< Lat. sumptuarius = relating to expenditure; sumptus = expense] -
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.