Historical Setting: Jarrow, 794 C.E. I make my way through the scribbles of an untrained, barely literate scribe, in order to read these cases and judgements brought before the Jarrow ealdorman. The log book is page after page of squabbles over sparse material things. Who owns the fishnet woven with stolen string? Is it theContinue reading “#78.3 Thursday, March 5, 2026”
Tag Archives: #Ealdorman
#78.2 Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 794 C.E. At the house of the ealdorman, the furnishings and personal items are being loaded onto a cart. Inside the house I’ve found Ousbert in his full military garb in command of this project. He says after the proclamation was read in the King’s court, he was appointed to investigate theContinue reading “#78.2 Wednesday, March 4, 2026”
#78.1 Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 794 C.E. Usually, while at St. Paul, I end the day taking a walk at the vesper hour, following the river to the sea. But this evening my thoughts are on the little village just beyond the paupers’ wood, so I walk the other way up the river to the place whereContinue reading “#78.1 Tuesday, March 3, 2026”
#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”
#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 