1st: Commemoration of the Victory of King Beornhard the Vigilant (sacred to Jupiter) PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Official celebrations are held today in honour of King Beornhard the Vigilant on the anniversary of his victory over Rollo Longstrider. A wreath is laid at his statue in Victory Square, followed by a procession in historical costume, marching bands, a procession of cavalry, traditional dancing, and sword fight presentations. In the evening, there is a formal banquet and grand ball at Camden Palace.

This day is held in even higher importance in the Fenlands, the place of King Beornhard's birth. There are many village fetes and markets there today. Today marks the official beginning of the summer holidays for schools and universities. It is said that if it rains on the first day of July, it will be wet for most of the month. 

2nd: Memorial Day for Queen Leonora the Charming of Castile

This day honours the wife of King Beornhard the Vigilant on the anniversary of her birth. Her memorial in Victory Park is decorated with flowers by the noblewomen of the city. The memorial recognises the great contribution of all women during times of war and conflict, for without Queen Leonora's help, King Beornhard could never have saved Lindensea. This day is especially important to Castilians, and those of Castilian heritage. A representative from the Kingdom of Castile always takes part in the ceremonies.

3rd: Lady Days Begin 

The hottest and most sultry weather is said to begin today under the influence of the constellation of the Radiant Lady, which rises in the heat of summer. This time is therefore called the Lady Days. It is considered an unhealthy time of year when one must be careful of fevers, overheating, sunburn, and restless sleep.  

4th: Commemoration of the Foundation of the House of Luna PUBLIC HOLIDAY

The anniversary of the coronation of King Beornhard the Vigilant is commemorated today at the Temple of Luna. This day also celebrates the founding of the royal House of Luna, and it is an important one for the royal family. The royal family only leaves for their summer holidays after this date.  

7th: Day of Serving Women 

This day are all serving women and maidservants given holiday. In Camden, the noblewomen of the Temple of Juno arrange and pay for a picnic day for female servants, which is held in Royal Park, the entire park being made over to the women to enjoy in privacy. They usually gather around Long Lake, and here the serving women are given free reign and licence to do as they wish. I am told that they can become very wild and rowdy.  

On this day are all serving women given a complete set of new clothes and shoes to wear on Sundays by their employers, and those betrothed to be married receive a gift of money to begin wedded life.

13th: Festival of Apollo

The Temple of Apollo writes, stages and performs a dramatic play at the Royal Theatre in Aldwick Lane for their annual holiday. They have all year to work on it between festivals, and the quality is superb. The play is commissioned and paid for by Camden Palace, and a representative of the palace attends each year.

14th: Opening of the Summer Markets

Due to the hot sticky weather, the Summer Markets are opened at the Forum, with stalls in covered arcades to avoid the hot sun, and cool breezes blowing down the paved walkways. Markets open at five o'clock in the morning until midday, then are closed until six o'clock in the evening, when they stay open until ten at night. In this way, shopping can be done when it is cooler. Many shops change to the same hours to fit in with summer trading.     

15th: Festival of Frea

This day is veneration given to the beloved Saxon god Frea, and many donation given to his temple. It is a custom that worshippers must give some combination of gold, silver and copper coins, even if it be only one of each. There are prayers for the king, health, wealth, happy marriage, many children, and most importantly, good weather for the harvest. This is reckoned a very fortunate day to be married.  

It is said that if it rains on Frea's day it will be wet for the next forty days and ruin the harvest. Farmers therefore pray very hard for fine weather today, which is supposed to ensure forty days of sunshine ahead. However, it is also said that rain today will bless the apple orchards and mean an especially good crop. Orchardists pray equally hard for wet weather today.  

While the weather is often unsettled in July, no forty-day flood or drought has ever occurred. Perhaps the competing prayers cancel each other out, may the wisdom of the lord Frea be praised. 

21st: Day of Parks and Gardens

To escape the summer heat, this day is everyone in Camden encouraged to come to Royal Park. To sit in the shade of trees, to swim in the lake, or to wander through beautiful gardens is very cooling at this time of year. All over Lindensea, people have picnics, play games, or simply enjoy a long siesta in public parks and gardens.    

23rd: Festival of Neptune

The Temple of Neptune in Camden enjoys its annual seaside holiday at Pleasant Sands for the festival. The temple pays most of the costs of hiring an omnibus to drive to the coast, and accommodation at a hotel for a week. There are sandcastle competitions and swimming lessons at the beach, and stalls selling creamed ices, fried fish, and cups of tea. The seaside holiday alone makes joining the Temple of Neptune an attractive proposition for families.

Temples of Neptune situated on the coast hold beach carnivals which are a great drawcard for holidaymakers. Many people choose the last week of July to go to the seaside for this reason.  

25th:  Day of Springs and Fountains

Natural springs of water and bubbling fountains are another way to keep cool in this hot month. Everyone visits springs to drink the water and throw the water over themselves, while in towns and cities people wade and play in fountains. It is common for young women to strip down to their shifts, and this has led some to complain they do so only to display their comeliness. But I see no reason why they may not be both comely and cool.

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