Historical Setting: Jarrow, 794 C.E. Ousbert made arrangements to use a monk’s cell as a scriptorium, with me the only scribe. He supplied a very fine swath of vellum. It will unfurl to an impressive length when it is read in the king’s court. He’s chosen to have me use the Merovingian hand which allowsContinue reading “#77.7 Tuesday, February 17, 2026”
Category Archives: Christian History
#77.6 Thursday, February 12, 2026
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 794 C.E. Ousbert, the king’s man who oversees the guarding of Jarrow against the Vikings is asking me to do the abbot’s or an ealdorman’s job of writing a report to the king. He wants a letter that will make a fine display before the court and that has good words commendingContinue reading “#77.6 Thursday, February 12, 2026”
#77.5 Wednesday, February 11, 2026
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 reasonContinue reading “#77.5 Wednesday, February 11, 2026”
#77.4 Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 794 C.E. On the horizon towers are rising — bell towers rise up from churches, but also, watch towers rise up here and there, as rocks are stacked higher and higher into babel towers to reach the heavens. Watching the sea once gave monks a spiritual tranquility. Once gazing at the horizonContinue reading “#77.4 Tuesday, February 10, 2026”
#77.3 Thursday, February 5, 2026
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 794 C.E. It is an easy verse to remember, “There is no fear in love,” [I John 4:18]. But it’s nearly incomprehensible in real life. Surely, the quill slipped and it was intended to say, “There is no hate in love.” Hate has teeth and tools, strength and power. Fear is aContinue reading “#77.3 Thursday, February 5, 2026”
#77.2 Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 794 C.E. I return to St. Paul in near morning light. It is the changing of the guard when these king’s soldiers who are assigned to guard the seashore are taking their posts dressed as monks prepared for any real or imagined Viking attack. On the Jarrow side of the Tyne someContinue reading “#77.2 Wednesday, February 4, 2026”
#77.1 Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Historical Setting: Monkwearmouth, 794 C.E. It is the dark hour before dawn. We are five people waiting for the tide to turn in a shelter shed. The three who just arrived are arguing. The nuns are midwives advising the man on the needs of his brother’s family as they prepare for a new baby. TheContinue reading “#77.1 Tuesday, February 3, 2026”
#76.13 Thursday, January 29, 2026
Historical Setting: Monkwearmouth, 794 C.E. It’s been nearly all night that we’ve sat here in the quiet darkness, except for the gentle sounds of a horse waiting for his master to return and our few words. I asked her to imagine a wishful story. She has an imagination and she has words that could tellContinue reading “#76.13 Thursday, January 29, 2026”
#76.12 Weds., January 28, 2026
Historical Setting: Monkwearmouth, 794 C.E. We sit here in the dark mostly in silence — the dark is cold — the silence is raw. What can I say? There are no words of goodness or even hope. Much as I wish it, I can’t repair another’s grief. She explains it again too easily. “IContinue reading “#76.12 Weds., January 28, 2026”
#76.11 Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Historical Setting: Monkwearmouth, 794 C.E. The young woman has a dress and an apron and a cowl, all the things she needs to appear presentable to other people who could meet her with either judgment or compassion. Only heaven knows her nakedness, though earth is still touched by her unshod feet. She recognized my selfishContinue reading “#76.11 Tuesday, January 27, 2026”
Lazarus Ink 