[dwndrgn]

Does it matter that much? Essentially, he took a seat and had a drink - those are the facts of the case. That he either sat at a bench, on a rock or on a chair seems totally irrelevant. Now, that's my opinion on that.

Since I've opined above, I'll ask a question here: Are you interpreting the author's writing to say that he took a seat in a chair and drank from a glass when what he is actually saying is something like, "he took a seat and a hearty drink..."? I cannot recall a book where the author is so specific unless they are sure they want to convey that specific thing "he sat down on the bench, the far end from where the others sat. He slowly picked up his tankard and took a cautious sip." There, I'm not only conveying the action but the atmosphere. Unless the author specifically believes that glass and chairs are used during the time of his/her historical period of choice, they wouldn't specifically note them.

Therefore, that author knows something you don't, OR, that author is just dimwit who, throughout all of his/her studies has never realized that glass and chairs aren't widely used in these periods.

**On a side note: Roman soldiers used portable fold-up chairs that they carried with them. This is something I saw on the History Channel somewhere so it has some credibility. However, I know nothing of the period in question and the show I was watching could have been incorrect. (Or, even more possible, I misinterpreted the show and just proved what a dimwit I am to the rest of youse guys.)