Historical Setting: 793 C.E. Marmoutier on the Loire
I was called to meet with Alcuin at this, the matins hour. He is anxiously seeking someone who can listen to the letter he is writing in response to Bishop Higbald’s letter. And he is particularly concerned about an issue that Higbald refers to, as the “sins of Lindisfarne.”
“My dear friend talked of signs of God’s judgment on the monastery, both in heaven and on earth leading up to this heathen attack.”
“I was aware of the signs and portends seen in the heavens. Often the northern skies are brilliant with colors just appearing with no apparent source. As the heavens prepared for the raid these brilliant markers in the skies came as columns of light that moved in a pattern of soldiers marching to battle. This was after some months of drought when there also came dry flashes of lightening until finally, there was a deluge.”
“You saw these signs and portents?” he asks.
“When the skies are ablaze in such brilliance, everyone notices. In the north the Pagan marauders on one shore of the North Sea shouted war chants and believed Thor was sending the best winds to carry them, and the lights to guide them. They believed that Odin had extra places set for them in Valhalla, so they didn’t need to fear any army of brutal monks the Christian God might send.”
He smiles at my use of the Norsemen’s image of “brutal monks of Lindisfarne,” knowing what we both know having been to the holy island. I continue.
“But the Vikings prayed to their own gods for courage, believing they were in danger from the monks.”
“Maybe the sin was that the monks weren’t prepared with proper weapons.”
“It is an enduring argument: are Christians an earthly army, or are we following Jesus, forgiving the enemy all the way to the cross?”
“I know that debate well. So maybe the bishop believes he failed to prepare his followers for warfare.”
“Failure?” I ask.
“It may be so. And I see you are a messenger who comes with a horse and yet no sword.”
“It’s my personal choice to carry no weapon.”
“But, a bishop can’t make such a ‘personal choice.’ He speaks for many. My friend may feel his encouragement here, but in facing danger only with prayer he may have given leeway to the heathen invaders.”
“So, you are suggesting, by not preparing monks with weapons, the deaths are on the conscience of Higbald?”
“That was likely not what he was referring to as the ‘sins’ of Lindesfarne.”
(Continues Tuesday, August 19)
Lazarus Ink 