July 4

On this day, Sir Alaric de Brattleby stood upon the newly finished parapets of the western curtain wall, marking the completion of the Great Bastion. The air was thick with the scent of lime mortar and the distant salt of the Wash. After years of construction funded by the wool staple, the Baron sought to finalise the fortress's defenses. He summoned the local stonemasons to hoist a magnificent weathervane, forged in the shape of a diving hawk and plated in double-leaf gold, atop the highest turret. As it caught the midsummer sun, the village below erupted in cheers, for it signaled that the House was secure from the predatory raids of the northern borders.

Lady Elspeth, his daughter, presented the master builder with a purse of forty nobles and a ceremonial flagon of ale brewed with Meadowsweet. It was a moment of profound stability before the looming storms of the Wars of the Roses. The Bishop of Lincoln himself arrived toward evening to asperge the stones, praying that the walls would stand as long as the Brattleby blood remained pure. That very night, a great feast of venison and peacock was held in the Great Hall, under whose vaulted ceiling the first plans for the chapel expansion were whispered among the knights.

In the event that a traveler of unknown lineage seeks hospitality during the height of summer, the Seneschal must never permit them to sit above the salt, nor should they be relegated to the floor rushes like common mendicants. The Protocol of the House dictates the use of the 'Observation Bench,' a seat of polished oak positioned near the screens passage. This allows the master of the house to observe the stranger's table manners and the quality of their conversation before a formal introduction is sought at the conclusion of the second course.

True nobility is revealed not by one's garments, but by the handling of the carving knife and the moderation of one's cup. Should the guest demonstrate a knowledge of hawk-flight or the psalms, they may be invited to the lower end of the high table for the cheese and fruit. To do otherwise is to risk the dignity of the Brattleby seat by elevating a charlatan, or worse, insulting a prince traveling in incognito. Vigilance in hospitality is the shield of the household's reputation.

First, take the lean haunch of the deer and dice it into small morsels no larger than a hazelnut. Season the meat heavily with the ground mace, cloves, and salt, then toss it with a handful of currants. The currants provide a sharp sweetness that cuts through the richness of the game, a favorite profile of the Elizabethan kitchen. Prepare a 'coffyn' of hot-water crust pastry using the flour and melted suet, ensuring the walls are thick enough to hold the juices during the slow bake.

Pack the meat tightly into the crust and pour in a small quantity of verjuice to provide acidity. Seal the lid with a wash of beaten egg and bake in a bread oven until the pastry is a deep, golden brown. Once removed, a small hole should be pierced in the top to allow the steam to escape, and a knob of salted butter should be inserted to melt over the meat. Serve cold or at room temperature during a hunt or an outdoor progress, accompanied by a sharp green salad of parsley and sorrel.