strong stomachs and
excess energy. Mischievously, the musicians played faster and faster as the
dance progressed until first one and then another, then whole groups dropped
out, some sinking exhausted and laughing to the floor.
When the last couple had been vanquished and helped
breathlessly to their seats, the trumpets rang out again to herald the second
course. The dishes were as numerous and as elaborately served, ranging from
roast venison with red currant jelly and a litter of roast suckling pigs to a
sweet of honeyed fruits stiffened with sweet, wine-soaked bread. The subtlety
was Spring Increasing , broader than it was tall, displaying rich fields
with calves and lambs and a very pregnant lady, with gold hair of dandelion
flower petals preserved in crystallized honey, leaning on the arm of a
dark-haired attendant swain. This piece was received with shouts of acclaim and
much advice on how to ensure the accuracy of the prediction.
The hilarious mood continued to welcome the jongleurs, who
tumbled and climbed upon each other, juggled gilded balls and flaming torches,
and performed comic acts in which the bittersweet joys of marriage were
illustrated. By the time they were finished, the sun was westering and all were
ready to sample the third course. The noise from the bailey, where the common
folk fed, drank, sported, fought, and watched cruder players, came up through
the windows and nearly overpowered the blare of the trumpets. Everyone smiled.
It was nice to know the hinds were happy, also.
Sensibly, the dishes of the third course were somewhat
smaller than those which preceded them, but they were neither less numerous nor
less elaborate. It opened with roast peacocks, refeathered and with tails
displayed, flanked by egrets and cranes. Stewed rabbits, ragout of venison, and
white meat of chicken prepared in a white curd with almonds followed. Last came
a variety of fish, perch and flounder and grilled herrings, all with sauces to
tempt tiring palates. The subtlety was Summer Bearing , and showed father
and mother admiring their child being suckled by a wetnurse in an orchard heavy
with fruit.
The minstrels played complicated instrumental music for a while
before the dancing began, and fewer couples took to the floor. Some were too
heavy with food, some too dizzy or somnolent with wine. Alys was pleased that
Raymond was still quite sober. There had been many cups raised to him, and he had
lifted his to each toast, but there was more water than wine in his goblet, and
even so, he drank of it sparingly. He had no mind to need to be carried to his
wedding bed and perhaps being incapable of doing his duty in it.
Torches were lit before the dancing ended to supplement the waning
light of the short winter day. As the sun set, lamps were lit also, and a warm,
golden glow suffused the hall. Except for a few, whom wine made quarrelsome and
who were quietly suppressed by their more sober friends, voices had softened
and movements grew more languid. There were no calls for another measure when
the minstrels put up their instruments and the trumpeters came forth for the
last time.
Enthusiasm for the fourth course was minimal, but the cooks
had been prepared for that. Dainty dishes predominated, tiny roast birds, lark
and snipe, little birds’ eggs hard-boiled and set in a spicy jelly, small
fritters and fancy sweetmeats and pastries. The subtlety recognized the mellow
mood of the ending day and portrayed Autumn Fulfillment , man, wife, and cradled
child beside a cheerful fire near a table laden with the fruits of autumn.
When that masterpiece of varicolored pastry had gone the round
and been admired, all the others were brought forth. The cooks were summoned,
and Raymond gave each a gold coin. Then the high table descended and began
breaking apart the subtleties. The king seized the images of the
archbishop-elect and the attendant bishops, saying that it was the only time he
was likely to have the Church in his hand.
excess energy. Mischievously, the musicians played faster and faster as the
dance progressed until first one and then another, then whole groups dropped
out, some sinking exhausted and laughing to the floor.
When the last couple had been vanquished and helped
breathlessly to their seats, the trumpets rang out again to herald the second
course. The dishes were as numerous and as elaborately served, ranging from
roast venison with red currant jelly and a litter of roast suckling pigs to a
sweet of honeyed fruits stiffened with sweet, wine-soaked bread. The subtlety
was Spring Increasing , broader than it was tall, displaying rich fields
with calves and lambs and a very pregnant lady, with gold hair of dandelion
flower petals preserved in crystallized honey, leaning on the arm of a
dark-haired attendant swain. This piece was received with shouts of acclaim and
much advice on how to ensure the accuracy of the prediction.
The hilarious mood continued to welcome the jongleurs, who
tumbled and climbed upon each other, juggled gilded balls and flaming torches,
and performed comic acts in which the bittersweet joys of marriage were
illustrated. By the time they were finished, the sun was westering and all were
ready to sample the third course. The noise from the bailey, where the common
folk fed, drank, sported, fought, and watched cruder players, came up through
the windows and nearly overpowered the blare of the trumpets. Everyone smiled.
It was nice to know the hinds were happy, also.
Sensibly, the dishes of the third course were somewhat
smaller than those which preceded them, but they were neither less numerous nor
less elaborate. It opened with roast peacocks, refeathered and with tails
displayed, flanked by egrets and cranes. Stewed rabbits, ragout of venison, and
white meat of chicken prepared in a white curd with almonds followed. Last came
a variety of fish, perch and flounder and grilled herrings, all with sauces to
tempt tiring palates. The subtlety was Summer Bearing , and showed father
and mother admiring their child being suckled by a wetnurse in an orchard heavy
with fruit.
The minstrels played complicated instrumental music for a while
before the dancing began, and fewer couples took to the floor. Some were too
heavy with food, some too dizzy or somnolent with wine. Alys was pleased that
Raymond was still quite sober. There had been many cups raised to him, and he had
lifted his to each toast, but there was more water than wine in his goblet, and
even so, he drank of it sparingly. He had no mind to need to be carried to his
wedding bed and perhaps being incapable of doing his duty in it.
Torches were lit before the dancing ended to supplement the waning
light of the short winter day. As the sun set, lamps were lit also, and a warm,
golden glow suffused the hall. Except for a few, whom wine made quarrelsome and
who were quietly suppressed by their more sober friends, voices had softened
and movements grew more languid. There were no calls for another measure when
the minstrels put up their instruments and the trumpeters came forth for the
last time.
Enthusiasm for the fourth course was minimal, but the cooks
had been prepared for that. Dainty dishes predominated, tiny roast birds, lark
and snipe, little birds’ eggs hard-boiled and set in a spicy jelly, small
fritters and fancy sweetmeats and pastries. The subtlety recognized the mellow
mood of the ending day and portrayed Autumn Fulfillment , man, wife, and cradled
child beside a cheerful fire near a table laden with the fruits of autumn.
When that masterpiece of varicolored pastry had gone the round
and been admired, all the others were brought forth. The cooks were summoned,
and Raymond gave each a gold coin. Then the high table descended and began
breaking apart the subtleties. The king seized the images of the
archbishop-elect and the attendant bishops, saying that it was the only time he
was likely to have the Church in his hand.
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