Historical Setting, 631 C.E. Alehouse near Dorestad We are at the public board at an alehouse near the marketplace where Greg and Gaillard visited the armor smiths. We are enjoying pots of ale, and now we are served bowls of stew. Gaillard left the table but hasn’t returned and it has been a longContinue reading “#61.14, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024”
Category Archives: Early Medieval
#61.13, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. A public stable at a market in Dorestad With the spying complete and the birds let go, we take the horses and the mule to a public stable. The stable hand here is a young fellow sitting at the far end of the first row of stalls. He sees usContinue reading “#61.13, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024”
#61.12, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. The armor markets at Dorestad We are at a market for armor and helmets. The overt mission of Greg and Gaillard is to purchase swords and helmets. The covert mission is to listen and learn who is outfitting armies in these times. Greg and Gaillard don’t work together. GregContinue reading “#61.12, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024”
#61.11, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. Dorestad We follow until the river reaches the bluff edging the flood plan. From here the Rhine is laid out on the smooth land splitting into branches as a great tree with many limbs. We ride on to the place where these waters meet the sea. Here the wild-eyedContinue reading “#61.11, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024”
#61.10, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. Dorestad At this forge, we watch a master smithy and several apprentices at work. No one speaks — neither the smiths nor Greg and Gaillard. And I know better than to speak also. The silence doesn’t mention the king’s gold that is hidden with oats on our pack mule. SilenceContinue reading “#61.10, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024”
#61.9, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. Rhineland marketplace Greg and Gaillard are including me on their so-called “pleasure” journey to purchase swords as a King’s gift. “You’re grieving, still.” Greg notices in my constant kvetching. “I suppose so. But always in grief it is one sadness upon another, so now, even my pacifistic natureContinue reading “#61.9, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024”
#61.8, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. Traveling northward on the Rhine This next stopover is in another Roman city on the Frankish edge. Here a river crossing with horses can be done with a boat made by the Wends to transport war horses on these northern rivers. Theoretically, these boats can also be carried or draggedContinue reading “#61.8, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024”
#61.7, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024
Blog Anniversary, In Memorial This day is the fifth anniversary of this blog which I started and continue as a memorial to my father, Milton Heitzman, who was born on October 15, 1917. His spiritual presence affirms my blather here. He loved history and reading stories, promising always to write one, but he was busyContinue reading “#61.7, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024”
#61.6, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. The pasture at the farm in the Vosges Maybe Inky the cat will miss me. As for my children, I’m just the reminder of their loss. Do they need to be reminded to grieve? As the dark of winter closes in, I know they will remember their mother even ifContinue reading “#61.6, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024”
#61.5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. a place where only flowers may grow Greg and I are here in this place where I have chiseled Ana’s name on a stone to mark the burial of her bones one year ago. Now, our children believe this grieving year is supposed to end. I know it will not.Continue reading “#61.5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024”
Lazarus Ink 