Ally bubble: "Fishponds. Not just pretty ponds — they're little royal banks, larders, and profit-centres all rolled into one. Court, meet Clause 21. Clause 65, you're on trial."
Short rule-statement: Stewards must keep existing fishponds, enlarge or create them where practicable, ensure a continual supply of fish, may sell fish (especially when the king is not visiting), and must restock. Fish and fishponds appear among listed revenue sources and among Lenten provisions; fish products (e.g., garum) must be prepared cleanly. Fishermen are required craftsmen. Records and reports about produce (including fishponds) must be kept and sent to the crown.
Obligations (what stewards must do):
- Maintain any fishponds that exist on the estate; enlarge or create them if practicable (Clause 21).
- Keep the fish supply continuous: sell some fish but always restock so there’s an ongoing supply (Clause 65).
- When the king/queen does not visit, fish may be sold and stewards must secure profit for the royal benefit (Clause 65).
- Include fish/fishponds in annual income statements sent to the crown (Clause 62).
- Send the appropriate share of Lenten food (fish included) — two thirds for royal use — and report leftovers (Clause 44; related reporting clauses).
- Ensure fish products (e.g., garum) are prepared with strict cleanliness (Clause 34).
- Keep fishermen and net-makers among the roster of skilled workers on the estate (Clause 45).
Authority / Controls: The steward supervises and must send trustworthy deputies if absent (Clause 5); the crown sets what to do with surplus (Clauses 8, 33). Records and accounts must be kept and reported (Clauses 55, 62).
Remedies / Enforcement: Neglect or failure to follow instructions invites discipline or punishment; stewards are directly accountable and must seek royal forgiveness if negligent (Clause 16). Financial/profit rules put stewards in an agent/ fiduciary role toward the crown.
- Inventory any fishponds now: location, size, current fish stock, whether expansion is possible (Clause 21).
- Plan restocking cycles: after selling, replace fish promptly so the pond never runs empty (Clause 65).
- Sell fish when practical (especially when the royal household is absent), but record sales and profits and ensure profits are accounted for as for the crown (Clause 65 + reporting clauses).
- Include fish/fishpond yields and sales in the annual revenue report (Christmas report) under the proper heading (Clause 62).
- Prepare and store fish products (like garum) with strict cleanliness rules and good workmanship (Clause 34).
- Make sure fishermen, net-makers and other necessary workmen are present and trained (Clause 45).
- For Lent: set aside the two-thirds of Lenten food (fish included) for royal use and report what’s left (Clause 44).
- Keep clear books: one document listing goods/services taken for royal use and another showing payments and sales; notify the crown of surplus or leftovers (Clauses 55, 33, 31).
- Supervise closely or send a trusted messenger if absent — failure to supervise is risky (Clause 5, 16).
Ally whisper: "Treat the pond like a royal bank account: water, fish, records. No funny business, no missing fish, and definitely no muddy garum. If you sell, restock and report — or you'll be dining with the seneschal and a flogger."
Bottom-line legal summary in one sentence: Fishponds are royal assets that must be maintained and prudently managed (production, hygiene, sale, restocking), fully recorded, and reported so the crown gets its provisions and profits — and stewards are directly accountable for compliance.