Historical Setting: Jarrow, 794 C.E.
I’m not sure I need a merchant to fill my emptiness. My spiritual need isn’t like a cloak or a hat. I am missing the thin places, or the beautiful window where I meet God.
It’s Cloothar who tells me of Iona, a monastery founded by the Irish that is set apart from the politics of kings.
He says, “Iona is a place that needs these black monks robes I’ve collected. Some brothers on this side no longer find refuge with the saints, and are shedding their holy ways as well you understand.”
“And Iona needs you to supply them with monk’s robes?”
“Just come with me to Iona. You will like it. It was the school that sent the first Celtic fellow, Aiden, to establish Lindisfarne.” [Footnote]
“And you need an extra hand to sail that far?”
“You read me too well, Eleazor. I’ve never sailed that far west. I don’t know what it will be. I may need a hand at the oars.”
“You would think a monastery as old as Iona would already have a trunk of old monk’s robes.”
“Ah, but they aren’t the newer standard of black. Their robes are just anything. You see how it is, Eleazor, they have the Celtic Rule still to this day, and it doesn’t follow the rigors of the papal communities.”
“You mean it doesn’t follow the Benedictine rule.”
“And oh, how I’ve heard you argue against that rule.”
“I didn’t know I’d been so vocal about it.”
“Don’t you remember how you were wound so tight on our little trek from Lindisfarne when you wanted to wash the old robes in lye water, and shrink them up into useless rags, when all they needed was a good airing?”
“I remember our arguments over new monks in old robes. And now you want to go to Iona and trade the black robes for whatever the novices happened to have on when they took their vows?”
“Not exactly. The rumor among the markets in the north lands is that Iona has riches. I will meet with the abbot and make one good trade and sell all these black robes for gold coins.”
Cloothar has an empty coin chest just waiting. I can use it as a rower’s seat. He said he learned of Iona’s riches in the north lands. So, apparently Iona is already a target for a Viking raid.
Dear God, watch over Iona. Amen.
[Footnote] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iona retrieved 8-27-25
(Continues Tuesday May 5)
Lazarus Ink 