21 — Fishponds: Keep 'em stocked & growing! (Legal tip)
Places & roles: royal estates, fishponds, stewards.
Ally McBeal lyric-style line: "Ponds that bubble, nets that gleam — steward, darling, guard the dream!"
Mini‑lawyer Q (think like a steward): Why must a steward keep and, if possible, enlarge fishponds?
Hint/Answer: Fishponds are a steady food and income source for the estate. Clause 21 orders stewards to maintain and create ponds so the king’s household always has fish and the estate can be productive.
65 — Sell, restock & profit: Fish rules when the king's away
Places & roles: fishponds, stewards, markets.
Ally lyric: "When the court’s not near, ponds turn to cheer — sell a catch, bring back the cheer!"
Mini‑lawyer Q: When may a steward sell fish and what must he remember?
Hint/Answer: Clause 65 allows stewards to sell pond fish (especially when the king isn't visiting) but they must replace the fish so supply remains and get profit for the king/estate. Good record‑keeping is implied.
45 — Bring the dream team: fishermen & more
Places & roles: stewards must have skilled workmen: fishermen, net-makers, smiths, bakers, brewers, carpenters, etc.
Ally lyric: "Fisherman, net-maker, stamp your name — the steward’s crew keeps royal fame!"
Mini‑lawyer Q: Why does the steward need fishermen and net-makers on the estate?
Hint/Answer: These specialists keep estate life working — fishermen supply fish, net-makers repair gear, smiths fix tools. Clause 45 says the steward must keep them so the estate can meet the king's needs.
62 — The Christmas Statement: Tell us everything (yes, EVERYTHING)
Places & roles: stewards, court/king, estates. Clause lists all income headings — include fishponds.
Ally lyric: "Deck the ledger, trim the log — Christmas numbers, clear as fog!"
Mini‑lawyer Q: What must be listed about fishponds when the steward sends the Christmas report?
Hint/Answer: Clause 62 requires a separate heading for fishponds and fish income — show amounts, sales, replacements and any profit. Send it at Christmas so the king can see estate health.
Q1 (Recall) — Clause 62 & 21: What to report at Christmas about fish?
Simple answer: Declare fishpond production and any fish sales separately. Note replacements/stock changes so the king knows what came from ponds.
Mini‑lawyer tip: Think: "Where did the fish come from? How many? Sold or kept?" — these are the headings the king wants.
Q2 (Understand) — Which clauses tell you to keep ponds and to have fishermen?
Answer: Clause 21 orders stewards to keep or create fishponds; Clause 45 lists fishermen and net‑makers among the essential workmen to maintain pond production.
Mini‑lawyer connection: If you find a pond but no fisherman, that's a problem — the clauses expect both pond + crew.
Q3 (Apply) — A pond had 200 fish; steward sold 50 at 3 coins each and restocked 50 for 1 coin each. What’s the profit to report at Christmas?
Work it out: Revenue = 50 × 3 = 150 coins. Restocking cost = 50 × 1 = 50 coins. Profit = 100 coins.
Mini‑lawyer note: Report the numbers separately under "fishponds": number sold, revenue, replacement cost, and net profit (100 coins).
Q4 (Analyze) — Steward sold fish when the king was away but kept poor records. What clauses guide you and what should you check?
Relevant rules: Clause 65 allows sale/stocking but Clause 62 needs a Christmas accounting. Clause 45 means there should be fishermen/nets. Check: sales receipts, replacement numbers, who handled nets, and whether proceeds were put to estate/king’s benefit.
Mini‑lawyer action: Reconstruct sales, check stock levels, note missing receipts, and prepare corrected Christmas report with explanations.
Q5 (Evaluate) — You find fish sold off the books. What would a good steward do to fix this and follow the Capitulare?
Recommended steps:
- Count current stock and compare to last records.
- Find witnesses (fisherman, net‑maker, market receipts).
- Calculate missing income and restocking needs.
- Put profits to the estate/king as Clause 65 implies and record everything under the fishpond heading for the Christmas statement (Clause 62).
- Train staff on keeping receipts (Clause 45: keep the right people doing the job).
Mini‑lawyer summary: Make the numbers honest, fix the stock, and document for the king — that’s how a steward keeps the pond (and his job) healthy.
Tip for study: Use the left cue column to quiz yourself, then cover it and try to say the right note out loud in your own words — sing the Ally lyric if it helps you remember!