husbandman, hedge-mender, and steward of the small wine casks.
ALDERCROFT
a holding beyond the west road
from field, hearth and cask
The House of
Aldercroft
Here dwell a small peasant household of western Christendom: tillers of the earth, keepers of the oven, brewers of ale, tenders of the vine, and receivers of tidings by bird and hand.
the household
At the hearth.
By this hearth dwell Oswin and Maud of Aldercroft, with their children Elswyth and Perrin, a goat of uneven temper, and a hen who believes herself mistress of the yard.
Their holding is modest: a patch of grain, a kitchen garden, two vine rows on sunnier ground, and enough skill with loaf, brew and barrel to keep body and spirit from despair.
In winter they mend, brew and bake. In spring they sow. In summer they pray for fair skies. In autumn they labour like souls pursued by saints and crows alike.
goodwife, baker of rye loaves, and alewife of the household tun.
watcher of pigeons, gatherer of herbs, teller of improbable gossip.
keeper of kindling, chaser of hens, and sworn enemy of empty platters.
daily fare
Of bread, ale and wine.
bread
Most mornings begin with a coarse loaf: rye or maslin when wheat is dear, wheat when fortune smiles, always best near the oven and worst when stolen cooling from the board.
on the history of breadale
Small ale serves the table daily: safer than doubtful water, kinder than a dry throat, and frequently discussed at great length by those who did not brew it.
on ale and brewingwine
The family keeps a humble wine from the lower vines, rougher than noble cellar stock yet worthy enough for feast days, guests, and weather that has offended the bones.
on winemakingBreak bread while it is warm, and speak kindly while hearts are soft.
tidings
Word comes by wing.
messenger at present: grey pigeon
latest letter
Market Eve at Saint Wulfric's
Word from the town says the baker's guild quarrels again, the cooper seeks sound oak, and a cask of fair brown ale may fetch better silver on market day than last month.
sealed with wax and much opinion
the yard
Field, bakehouse and cask-room.
send word
If you would write to Aldercroft, tie your note well.
News of harvests, loaves, brewing, vines, weather, saints, crows, pigeons, or any honest curiosity may be entrusted to the household.
Should the bird keep to the air and not to the hedges, your message may yet arrive.