Historical setting: 589 C.E. Traveling to Châlons So now we are a great procession of cow, donkey and cart, followed by four fully armored servants of the Bishop of Rome on fine horses, all laden with swords and shields and horse covers of rich silks, prepared to deliver a message to the king ofContinue reading “#37.10, Tues., Oct. 25, 2022”
Category Archives: Early Medieval
#37.9, Thurs., Oct. 20, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Along the Loire from Tours to Orleans Preparing for our journey we have bent willow reeds over the bed of the cart to make the tarp into a roof and we’ve filled the cart with fleeces and wools and bags of grains along with the herbs we gathered where Eve’sContinue reading “#37.9, Thurs., Oct. 20, 2022”
#37.8, Weds., Oct. 19, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Bertigan’s Estate near Tours Tonight we are guests of the Count’s where the people are my own family. Here, my son Ezra is now the elder patriarch. Everyone calls him “Papa” and they help him from the chair. When he speaks they listen. When they speak I wonder if heContinue reading “#37.8, Weds., Oct. 19, 2022”
#37.7, Tues., Oct. 18, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. A Pagan village near Tours The custom of Largin’s tribe is to give gifts even for little things. They show joy by giving. Maybe we all do, but this practice actually marks who these people are. So midwives who arrive on time surely are gifted. It would complicate ourContinue reading “#37.7, Tues., Oct. 18, 2022”
#37.6 Thurs., Oct. 13, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. A house in the Pagan village Thole and Largin caught up in wonder argue incessantly over taking turns to hold the baby. Both father and grandfather have acquired that skill overnight. Tilp is doing well, Ana says. Colleen recites instructions in monotone. I’ve known some who are Irish ceaselessly yammerContinue reading “#37.6 Thurs., Oct. 13, 2022”
#37.5, Weds., Oct. 12, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Pagan Village near the Loire Thankfully, the assignment we are given is hard work and takes us until nightfall. Whenever we are near the cottage we hear sounds through the thatch, sometimes, murmurs and conversation, sometimes the cry of a woman in birth. Yet there is never that terrible emptyContinue reading “#37.5, Weds., Oct. 12, 2022”
#37.4, Tues., Oct. 11, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The river crossing near Tours We all have secret fears of plague, and now the sumptuous accommodations of Bertigan Hall don’t soften worry that Tilp must be very near her time. There are worries. We learn that Thole is in a state of panic. The cooper crossed over with aContinue reading “#37.4, Tues., Oct. 11, 2022”
#37.3, Thurs., Oct. 6, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. On the south side of the Loire The rain seems powerless now for dampening spirit. The little donkey bounds the full circumference of the pasture fence, bucking and leaping, dancing his finest moves to please the stolid mares looking on. Jesse stands akimbo by the gate watching the romp,Continue reading “#37.3, Thurs., Oct. 6, 2022”
#37.2, Weds., Oct. 5, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The river crossing near Tours In this little fringe of a wood I watch a vixen eluding me, giving up her own hiding so I won’t notice her kits. It seems when I am in love the whole world is in love, and when my mind is only onContinue reading “#37.2, Weds., Oct. 5, 2022”
#37.1, Tues., Oct. 4, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The river crossing near Tours This cold October rain is relentless. Rivulets of gray water run in the ruts merging into the full river of roadway. The little donkey shakes his head to clear his eyes. I lead him walking, while the women spread the tarp over the cart forContinue reading “#37.1, Tues., Oct. 4, 2022”
Lazarus Ink 