Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons The servant folds down the sumptuous linens and our ewer is replenished and now Ana and I are alone. I ask Ana what she discovered of a woman’s anatomy in the books. “I’ve learned more from the shepherd. The only medical book was the Roman book fromContinue reading “#35.7, Tues., Aug., 16, 2022”
Category Archives: Early Medieval
#35.6, Thurs., August 11, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. King Guntram’s castle in Châlons Father Felix is working hand-in-hand with the King’s men to build a monastery here in Châlons. I’m starting to understand the pieces of power here, so maybe I should congratulate young Felix for elevation to a would-be bishop if the king could only give thatContinue reading “#35.6, Thurs., August 11, 2022”
#35.5, Weds., August 10, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. King Guntram’s castle in Châlons At the King’s meeting we are discussing the complaints from bishops regarding Father Columbanus. Apparently Fr. Felix, the Priest of Châlons, is a defender and follower of Columbanus. I can see that if kings chose bishops, Felix would definitely be the bishop who isContinue reading “#35.5, Weds., August 10, 2022”
#35.4, Tues., August 9, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. King Guntram’s castle in Châlons I am graciously received by this king. As a messenger from Father Columbanus I am accustomed to greetings of disgruntlement from bishops. But here the king wishes to hear from me and he has lots of questions about Father Columbanus and the community at Annegray.Continue reading “#35.4, Tues., August 9, 2022”
Post #35.3, Thurs., Aug. 4, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons This morning I deliver Father Columbanus’s message to Father Felix a bit hesitantly, asking him for whom it might have been intended. Even though it is addressed to “The Bishop of Châlons” he opens it and glances over the letter while we wait; then he explains to us thatContinue reading “Post #35.3, Thurs., Aug. 4, 2022”
Post #35.2, Weds., Aug. 3, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons The stable master directs us to an inn with a private sleeping room for a man and woman together. I don’t think either of us will sleep until we settle this hurt between us. We talk in the dark, long into the night. We decided we will spendContinue reading “Post #35.2, Weds., Aug. 3, 2022”
Post #35.1, Tues., August 2, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons On this new morning we are riding toward Châlons. There are sheep grazing all around us by this road and Ana hasn’t forgotten my promise to take time to find a sober shepherd for her questions. Somehow, what I intended as simply the point of view of drunken shepherds,Continue reading “Post #35.1, Tues., August 2, 2022”
Post #34.12, Thurs., July 28, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. An inn on the road to Châlons Ana has serious questions about birthing sheep surgically, but these men aren’t at all interested in her need to learn. It might be my own wisdom of the ages, or just my gender, but I can see Ana’s persistence and fearlessness is howContinue reading “Post #34.12, Thurs., July 28, 2022”
Post #34.11, Weds., July 27, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. An inn on the road to Châlons Men gather on their way at the board of this inn where ale is served. It seems it may be unusual here to bring one’s young wife to this place, but they also serve a fine dish of porridge and we are bothContinue reading “Post #34.11, Weds., July 27, 2022”
Post #34.10, Tues., July 26, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. An island in a river Ana says she will be glad to spend these soft summer nights camping by the river washed in the beauty of earth. The river invites these mythical meanders in our imaginations. And we are under the the waxing moon that rises in the afternoon andContinue reading “Post #34.10, Tues., July 26, 2022”
Lazarus Ink 