Queen Victoria kept a household scrapbook which belonged to Royal ladies before her and it passed into the hands of others after her, but she it was who made the most use of it. In it she entered recipes of her own and earlier times, and useful household hints. A friend of Elizabeth Craig's was graciously given permission to copy material from this scrapbook for Miss Craig's use. This material has formed the basis of Court Favourites.

Miss Craig, through her cookery books, has become the friend and counsellor of innumerable housewives. She has been collecting unusual recipes since she was twelve, and she has added other Royal recipes from her collection to those of the scrapbook. She has also given explanatory notes where necessary, but the majority of the recipes have been left in their original wording. They range from methods of preparing boar's head or a peacock in his pride to instructions for the simple dishes preferred by the members of our present Royal family (1953).

Although this book is primarily a cookery book, it can also be read as a footnote to Court history. Few people will have the courage to follow Queen Victoria's advice and treat a sore throat with a gargle made of cayenne pepper; many, on the other hand, will be glad of such practical recipes as King George the Fifth's mutton cutlets. The Court has influenced the country's cooking throughout the centuries. Here is a chance for you to experience this influence in your own home.

Try: Queen Victoria's Chicken Broth (c. 1853), Windsor Soup (c.1870), The Queen Mother's Fillets of Sole (1928), Lord Clive's Curry (c. 1750), A Supper Dish 210 Years Old (c. 1778), June Bud Sallett (c. 1782), King Edward the Seventh's Sauce (1861), Plum Pudding Sauce (1911), Duke of Sussex's Pie (c. 1845), Prince of Wales' Savoury Pie (c. 1930), Orange Custarde (c. 1779), An Open Cherry Tart (c. 1842), Old-Fashioned Tipsy Kent Squire (c. 1850), Souffle Maginaire or Souffle Theresa (c. 1709), To Dress Pig's Pettytoes (c. 1841), Balmoral Cheesecakes (1850), Ye Cheese Cakes Beloved by ye Queen Anne Boleyn (1510), Tudor Roses (1952), Lord Lascelles' Christening Cake, Syrup of Roses (c. 1815), To Make Sillybubbles (c. 1510, as made for Queene Anne Boleyn, Queen Consort of Henry the Eighth), etc.