Late Autumn in the Stillroom

"If - on an Autumn or early Winter's night - you quietly opened the heavy, oaken door leading to a Still Room such as our own within the Ypres Tower, you would immediately smell that special scent of the season shortly to unfold, for this would be the magical, mysterious space where garden linked with house or castle to provide all manner of seasonal treats, as well as the more usual healing lotions and ointments regularly prepared within it's walls.

Honey-rich syrups were made by infusing herbs previously bruised in a mortar and pestle or by making a strong decoction - both methods requiring heating to reduce the liquid, then strained through muslin and honey added to sweeten.  Colds and sore throats were often relieved by a rose-hip and lemon balm decoction with honey added to soothe and heal."