Historical Setting: Jarrow, 794 C.E.
On this morning, my new “best friend,” Ousbert, is tapping on my door.
“Eleazor! Wake up! I have a great idea!”
“I was already awake.”
“Let’s walk back to the ealdorman’s quarters and I will tell you what I have in mind.”
I wonder, why me? His mind is always on the assignments for soldiers. So why am I the first one in a morning to hear this military officer’s mind, inspired as it may have been by the matin hour of inspiration. Of course, Ousbert isn’t a holy man, so how would he know that inspiration is assigned at the darkest hour?
“What’s on your mind, Captain Ousbert.”
“Well, yesterday I spent the day picking through the ealdorman’s log book, knowing what I did about his untamed ability for discretion. I worried all night about that vacancy, and the present king’s lack of concern for justice in a simple peasant village.”
“Yes, I would suppose the king has more immediate and deadly concerns, being thrust, as he was, from battles and murders into the seat of divine authority.”
“Yes. Whatever, but I fear he will be slow in appointing a temporary ealdorman as busy as he is. And what’s worse, anyone who knows that post will assume the nature of the work is to use that charge for his own personal advantage by whatever means he wishes.”
“I know what you mean. If he decides he needs an heir to extend his power, even though no woman would have him, he just plucks a girl from the pauper’s woods to serve his purpose.”
He explains, “And what would stop the substitute ealdorman, knowing the history of that post, from himself taking similar advantage? I considered begging the abbot to loan us a monk, temporarily, to fill the vacancy. I know he won’t. But then I had a thought! I could take the post myself. These guards I’ve posted know well the pattern of their duty. But then, how can I abandon my duty to the king and my true assignment. But here you are, literate with the clarity of a stranger’s vision. Think of the good that can be done by bringing fairness to this post that only requires someone who can read and write; and I already know that your own handwriting is so fine as to impress the king.”
“I can’t take that post.”
(Continues Tuesday, March 24, 2026)
Lazarus Ink 