[JennyHallu]

I'm a little confused on where Eodwine gets his ideas of generosity. I can't find a definition of Anglo-Saxon guest-rights; the closest I can find is Greek xenia, which was highly formalized. And in Greece.

I fear Eodwine runs the risk of over-familiarity with his vassals and subjects, and Marenil shall work to correct that. If Eodwine insists on inviting anyone to stay as a guest of the hall, he will probably ensure those guest-rights only put so much of a burden on Eodwine: who has a large household to support already and no income besides his taxes, which must be used for more than just support of his house, but also for his reciprocal duties to his taxpayers. So he will encourage the idea that free-guests have rights to a pallet in the hall and a proscribed (and very simple) meal, much like a waystation for pilgrims in medieval Europe. I also wonder if, while freeguesting is one thing, care of a horse or packbeast shouldn't carry some nominal fee...that can be far more expensive than feeding a man.

And as for providing better and more space for Eodwine's household to live, Marenil is of the practical opinion that, while loyalty is a lovely thing, each of Eodwine's vassals has their own families and hides to look after, and without adequately providing for those, Eodwine doesn't fulfil his responsibilities as their lord. A married man should be able to have some private room and space to share with his wife, and Marenil sees these children as people who will only get older: and eventually need their own space. I think he is likely to suggest some sort of dormitory or barracks for single men with no dependents. That could be a very simple long, low hall, with a private room to serve as quarters and office for Garwine. He may also climb up into the attic space, and see what can be done there to convert it to quarters for older children or lower maids.

There should also be a proper ladies' bower (Especially in a Mead Hall: if you go by Beowulf the hall is a gathering place mainly for men, and the ladies congregate elsewhere after seeing to their men). In a household such as this, the ladies ought to be producing embroidered fabrics and weavings both for the comfort of their own hall, and to add to Eodwine's small pittance of an income. Also, a ladies' bower serves as an informal place for Saeryn to accept guests and petitioners who feel uncomfortable or uncertain coming to the lord himself. A stillroom, connected to the bower, is also a good idea. One of a Lady's tasks would be the concoction of perfumes and remedies for both the use of the household and for sale.

Marenil may also suggest that the form of the taxes should be changed. His suggestion: if Eodwine allowed his vassals (those that farm) to choose between taxes all in coin and taxes that are a portion of their produce (and makes it slightly more profitable to pay in produce...) he could use his contacts in Dol Amroth to sell his goods down there, far from where they are grown. My take on Dol Amroth has been to compare that land to Italy, with its poor quality, rocky soil. (Come on, obvious comparison...it's a principality) Great for sheep, and maybe some fruit plants...not so much for always-oh-so-necessary grain production. Selling down there could allow Eodwine to make a profit on his taxes, without having an ill-effect on his vassals.

Also, a portion of these agricultural 'tithes' could be kept for the consumption of the household, and lower the grocery bill a bit. A supply of grain could allow a hearty porridge to be made for free-guests, that could be always on the stove, and therefore readily available, and more expensive, elaborate meals prepared in smaller quantities, solely for the consumption of the household, without as large a drain on Eodwine's purse.

Also, oughtn't Eodwine be keeping chickens, a dairy cow, and a pig somewhere? Chickens are a constant supply of food, if managed correctly, a cow would provide milk, butter, and cheese (perhaps two cows would be needed, considering the size of the household...), and the expense of keeping one pig is balanced by quite a significant amount of easily preserved meats (A smoked ham or slab of bacon keeps quite well in a cool cellar), not to mention the lard necessary for a lot of medieval cooking, candle-making, soap-making, and any number of crafts to make both life more comfortable, and perhaps line Eodwine's pockets.

Ooh! Another idea! and another way for Eodwine to supplement his income: he could board horses for the wealthy in the city who don't have Eodwine's room to expand.

If we have a large lot to work with, then, here are Marenil's suggestions:

Build a barracks, a bower and stillroom, a smoke-shed, a chicken-coop, an animal shed with a pen, and convert the attic space for residential space.

In Marenil's view, the only people who should be living in the present residential wing (Not including attic space) are noble and paying guests, vassals with dependents, Eodwine, Saeryn, and himself (Because as steward, he needs an area both private and secure). Womenfolk and children he would relegate to the attic space, (except perhaps Frodides due to age) which if insulated and planned properly wouldn't be uncomfortable. Menfolk would be relegated to the barracks. I think that would put Leofric and Trys (and Lys when he's better, depending on how old he is) out there.

Whew...I actually came to a conclusion in all that...