Sounds like those that couldn't be served for Christmas would have made good boat anchors.
Actually, being soaked in brandy and wrapped up tightly with a number of wrappings (cheesecloth, waxed paper, aluminum foil and then being put in a sealed dark container in a very cool place, like a shelf in the dirt cellar) when brought out for serving, the fruitcake was moist and tender.
The cake itself was very tasty, but the fruits always sat on the edge of my plate, being hand-picked OUT if the cake!