During the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I, when wooden trenchers were removed after dinner, the reverse side of such roundels were used to place sweatmeats before each guest. At the end of the banquet, the roundels were upturned and the ditties appearing thereon were either recited or sung to the accompaniment of a lute.

Similar roundels were sold from the collection of W.J. Shepherd Esq, Sotheby's London, 30 November 1983, lot 770.