May 8

Upon this humid May morning, Sir Geoffrey the Younger returned from the French wars bearing a triptych of exquisite Flemish craftsmanship. He rode through the village of Brattleby on a charcoal charger, his squire carrying the heavy wooden case draped in samite. The villagers gathered at the lychgate, where Father Thomas stood with incense to receive the offering. Geoffrey had vowed this gift while besieged at Harfleur, promising the Archangel a seat of honor in the Lincolnshire fens if his life were spared from the bloody flux and the English longbows.

When a messenger bearing the seal of a neighboring Earldom approaches the keep, he is to be met not at the gatehouse, but at the foot of the Great Stairs. It is a Grave Breach of Courtesy to allow a King of Arms or a pursuivant to wait amongst the common ostlers. The Seneschal must first inspect the wax seal for integrity before offering the 'Mazer of Welcome,' a vessel containing spiced ale or hippocras, depending upon the rank of the sender.

Should the news be of a somber nature, such as a death in the Peerage, the mazer is to be silver-gilt and unadorned. If the news is of a birth or marriage, the vessel may be of polished maple. Silence is to be observed by all household staff until the messenger has broken bread, for a dry throat cannot adequately convey the nuances of noble decree. Failure to provide a fresh mount for the messenger’s return journey is considered a slight against the House he represents.

First, the pike must be scaled and gutted with precision, then poached gently in a broth of spring water and sharp wine vinegar until the flesh yields to the touch. Once cooled, the skin is removed and the white meat flaked into a ceramic terrine. The poaching liquid is strained through a fine linen cloth and reduced with a heavy portion of saffron and galingale to create a deep, golden jelly that speaks of the sun's return.

In a separate mortar, grind the almonds with verjuice to create a thickener, folding in the currants and cinnamon. Pour this aromatic mixture over the fish and allow it to set in the cool depths of the buttery for no less than six hours. Serve with manchet bread, ensuring each guest receives a portion of the clarified jelly to balance the richness of the river-fish.