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The Boring, Brilliant History of the White Rectangle Solid Color Fabric Tablecloth A sarcastic old man tells the surprisingly dramatic history of the white rectangular tablecloth. From medieval mess-halls to your dining room, it's a tale of status, spills, and starch. So you want to know about white rectangular tablecloths. Thrilling. I’ll try to stay awake. It wasn't always about looking fancy for your mother-in-law. Back in the gross old days, like the Middle Ages, tables were just big planks. They were filthy. The "tablecloth" was a long, white rectangle of cloth called a "trencher." You'd sit down, they'd throw this cloth on the table, and you'd eat off it. At the end of the meal, you'd wipe your greasy hands on it. Then they'd give the messy cloth to the poor. Classy, right? The rectangle shape was just practical. It’s easier to cut from a bolt of fabric. No waste. The white color? Well, that was for the rich. Only someone with a bun...