Historical Setting: Jarrow, 794 C.E.
Ousbert, the envoy for King Ethelred of Northubria, called me to meet with him here in the entrance hall for the library. He was here before the Christ Mass asking me details of the Lindisfarne raid and has since learned that my information was accurate. But I’m sure the reason he’s called me here isn’t just to commend my accuracy.
“So Eleazor, the librarian tells me you are a scholar as literate as any monk, and you have a rapport with the guardsmen I’ve assigned to this place.”
“We shared a Christmas song and a pint of ale.”
“The abbot here does nothing but complain about these heroic guardsmen. He has no regard for their living conditions and their needs, even though they are here to protect this community. I don’t trust the abbot to provide accurate reports to the Kings man.”
I can guess where this is going. Ousbert is looking for someone to spy on the spies. I ask him if that is what he wants of me.
“More than that. It would be very useful if I could carry a document to the royal court of Northumbria commending the fine work of these guards in protecting this outpost against the Vikings.”
“You want to report commendation for these men? That really should come from the abbot?”
“The abbot won’t do it. It could be on a long strip of vellum, with flourishes and proper lettering so that when it is unfurled and read in a royal court it will be well known that it is a worthy commendation.”
“Can’t you just go and tell whatever royal court the guards are keeping their watch as ordered?”
“It needs embellishment fit for a king. At the top it would announce, ‘The good works of the loyal subjects of the ruler of Northumbria. Then you would write something to say we have had no Vikings raid Jarrow since the guards have been posted!”
“I can’t pretend to be the abbot’s scribe. This is his task.”
“Indeed, or this could be the task for the local ealdorman, but..”
Oh, yes, now I know why he chooses to by-pass the ealdorman here. This ealdorman is the ‘Mister’ in the ‘castle’ who abused the young pauper, and then he sent her away and let her baby die. Apparently, even a king’s military general doesn’t trust this ealdorman. And I actually do have some information someone needs to know; and it isn’t about the guards.
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 