Advent Calendar December 4th

Arise, Sir Loin

The Second Charles of England
Rode forth one Christmastide
To hunt a gallant stag of ten,
Of Chingford woods the pride.

Quoth Charles: Odds fish! a noble dish,
And noble made by me,
By kingly rite, I dub thee knight – 
Sir Loin henceforward be.

The same story is told about King Henry VIII and James I. The common feature is that while out hunting the King’s party was received as guests in a nearby hall and served roast beef. Which meal went down well.