July 22

Following his return from the French campaigns, Sir Alaric Brattleby caused the south chapel of the parish church to be reconsecrated in honor of the Magdalene. Haunted by the memory of the mud-soaked fields and the screams of horses, Alaric sought a peace that the sword could not grant. He endowed the chantry with three oxgangs of fertile silt-land, ensuring that a priest would sing perpetually for his fallen brothers-in-arms. The foundation charter, signed this day, specifies that the altar be adorned with local lilies, symbolizing the washing of sins in the tears of the penitent.

When a traveling prelate or a mendicant friar seeks hospitality at the Great Gate, the Page of the Chamber must first ascertain the traveler's order and rank before the heavy bolts are drawn. It is not merely a matter of charity but of spiritual precedence; a Dominican is seated with the scholars, while a Franciscan may prefer the simplicity of the refectory bench. One must never offer a stained trencher to a man of the cloth, for to insult the servant is to invite the displeasure of the Master.

Furthermore, the discourse at the High Table should shift toward the divine and the philosophical when such guests are present. The Baroness shall lead the inquiry into recent miracles or the interpretation of the Psalms, ensuring that the talk of hunting hounds and land disputes is hushed. It is considered a grave breach of etiquette to discuss tithe litigations in the presence of those who live by the tithe, as it tarnishes the sanctity of the bread being shared.

Begin by jointing the rabbits into small portions, ensuring the bone is cleanly severed to avoid splinters. Sear the flesh in a heavy iron skillet with clarified butter until the skin assumes the golden hue of August wheat. Once browned, remove the meat and deglaze the pan with a generous splash of Malmsey wine, scraping the essence of the fire from the bottom. Whisk in the clover honey and mace until a thick, fragrant syrup forms.

Return the rabbit to the pot and add the currants and chopped hyssop, covering the vessel with a weighted lid. Simmer over a low peat fire for two hours, allowing the bitterness of the herb to temper the sweetness of the honey. Serve on thick slices of manchet bread, ensuring the sauce is poured over the meat so that it soaks into the crust, providing a meal that sustains the body through the long evening humidity of the fens.