"Carlisle Convention"
In the week following the Equinoxes the family gathers at the estate. Responsibility for planning this gathering rotates among those in the family who have achieved their majority, although all the children take an important role as they arrive. These are considered family affairs, so the only people who might otherwise be invited would be extremely close friends or fiancées. The family cuts loose at these events, as home is the sanctuary in which everyone can be themselves.
Entertainment at these gatherings ranges from rather tame musicals (most of the family is talented, musically) to drum circles, plays performed by the children to classics performed by the adults. Convention, as it holds throughout most of the kingdom, is tossed aside during these events. Everyone dresses as they like, imbibes what they will, and gender boundaries disappear quite nicely. On the final night of these celebrations whichever holiday is at hand is observed with the local residents, whether it be Yule, Spring Equinox (post-Carnival), the Harvest Festival or Midsummer's Eve.
Engagements and Marriage
Unlike many of the Noble Houses in Amber, Carlisle does not arrange marriages for its members. Members of House Carlisle have a firm history of marrying for love, and the idea of pressuring their sons and daughters to marry for business purposes turns the stomachs of the House elders. (Match-making they consider another matter entirely.)
There are many tragic tales in House Carlisle, but the most tear-jerking is the tale of the second Duke, who married an heiress to attempt to secure the House's fortune, although he didn't love her. The marriage ended in her suicide, and the Duke's abdication to their young son. There is hardly a higher sin in the House than to marrry for ends other than love.
That said, everyone in the House feels free to test fiancées of members. Anyone marrying into House Carlisle can expect a cunning and thorough interrogation on every visit up until their wedding. There is also an unspoken tradition that Carlisle Dukes (heirs) do not marry until after they've ascended, but Phillip is not the first to ignore this tradition.
The nature of Phillip and Juliana's engagement was highly suspected by his family. The engagement was sudden, and they married very quickly. While she still visited the estate for a week after the engagement, she did not have to bear the full brunt of the family, as many were out on the summer tour. Phillip barely managed to persuade the Duke and Dutchess to allow the marriage, and in the end it was only Phillip's insistance that he was prepared to leave the House and give up his titles to marry that convinced his mother he truly loved Juliana.
The Collection of Taxes
The House of Carlisle does not believe taxing its people is good for their welfare. Taxes levied are usually only enough to support monies due the crown, the salaries of those who collect, and the small home guard. House Carlisle makes most of it's funds through speculative investment. (See Properties of the House)