It is high time for another one of our blogs. This one will be a personal one, and will address a problem I have been dealing with the past month. As some of you might know, Wendy and I have both become mothers again this year. Now for myself, my milk has sadly dried up …
Great news! After nearly a year of siege, the city of Leiden has finally been liberated! Since October 30th of last year, the city had been surrounded by General Francisco de Valdez. With his troops encircling the city, he tried to starve it into submission. After a brief interruption due to a diversionary battle led …
he war between the Netherlands and England, which has mostly been fought at sea so far, has now reached land as well. The war has mainly been about seizing each other’s colonies, but now even Terschelling has been attacked. Last night, at least 150 ships were burned near the village of West-Terschelling. These were mainly …
Seville, 1283 It was a very hot afternoon in summer at the castle during my residence in Seville back when I was a lady-in-waiting. We were to stay inside. Of course we were used to this; we never go far when the heat is unbearable. Being a woman, I usually got to play music, to …
Today we received the shocking news that, after last week’s massacre in which 18 nobles from the Netherlands were killed in the market in Brussels, the Counts of Egmont and Horne have been beheaded. We received this news from our dear friend, Sister Maria Luyten. She says she will incorporate these significant events into her …
Westminster, april 28, 1442 Today, news has reached us from Rouen. This morning the Duchess of York, Lady Cecily Neville, had blessed her husband the Duke of York with a son and heir. The boy will be known as Edward, Earl of March. The time of birth however, is suspicious and this author wonders about …
Healers among you know the great Mandrake: A plant that can have a strong narcotic effect. The problem with the Mandrake, however, is that it is a dangerous plant and it’s hard to get. You may not consciously hear the Mandrake’s howling, but if you are not aware of being near it when the plant …
Hamburg, February 11, 1402 I was 12 years old when my father told me it was time to go and learn a craft. He himself has always been a farrier, but I didn’t feel so much for it. So, I had to go and look for a master craftsman to teach me a trade. Like …
As the leaves turn brown, soon to fall from the trees, I take it upon myself to write of a summer story from my youth, so as to provide a last spark of sunlight from the past. Beynac-et-Cazenac, 1345 It was my first time. I lived my tenth summer when my father decided I was …
God has brought us summer and with it came upon us warmer winds. It’s the time for fruits to grow and ripen. Are you looking for something fresh to serve for your lords and ladies? Try for some cold soup! What you would need to please four of your masters: 250 grams of well ripened …
