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”
Tag Archives: #Ealdorman
#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”
#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”
#76.7 Thursday, January 15, 2026
Historical Setting: Monkwearmouth, 794 C.E. The relentless intensity of grief that owns this mother’s spirit allows a breath for my mundane questions about the circumstances of her life. I am trying to understand her options. She says, “Everything is made of words. In a castle even the words are rich. For the castleContinue reading “#76.7 Thursday, January 15, 2026”
Lazarus Ink 