With the royal wedding fast approaching, we've got English traditions on the mind. Perhaps the most quintessential tradition is afternoon tea. The British custom of thwarting late afternoon fatigue with a steaming cup of black tea, delicate sandwiches, tea cakes and biscuits dates back to Victorian times. According to lore, the Duchess of Bedford popularized the meal in Queen Victoria's court. A simple, infallible mood-lifter, it's easy to see why afternoon tea persists as a habit today in England and abroad in Australia and New Zealand. Try this convention at home with recipes for dainty cookies that perfectly accompany your tea of choice.