Author: Duncan MacDonald
Category: Cook books
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"Plus one of the St Ninian monks has been there and can take Fergus and introduce him to their leader. I want him to go there Danan."
Danan shrugged and threw his hands in the air. “If that's what you want my sister, then Fergus shall go. He thinks differently than most boys here. He runs fast, but is not big enough to be a great warrior. He can go with my blessing."
And that is why young Fergus was sent to learn to ‘read and write’ at Lindisfarne.
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5.1 The Gaining of Wisdom
Sirona briefed Brother Bec before he set off to Lindisfarne with Fergus. “Fergus needs to learn to read and write. Not just Latin, but those other languages like Irish and what’s the other one, Geek.”
“Greek my lady.”
“Yes Greek. I want my son to have great knowledge.”
Sirona briefed the monk, Brother Bec, who was quite wise and not young anymore, before he set off to Lindisfarne with Fergus. “You must make sure that the Abbot at Lindisfarne - what’s his name . . ?”
“Colmán my lady”
“Yes Colmán. You must make sure that Abbot Colmán understands one day Fergus could be chieftain of all the Picti. He needs to learn to read and write. Not just Latin but those other languages like Irish, the one you monks speak, and what’s the other one, Geek.”
“Greek my lady.”
“Yes Greek. I want my son, not just to run blindly into battle and get himself killed. I want him to have great knowledge. If he is to rule wisely he must have wisdom. He can get wisdom from your books.”
“Most certainly my lady. I spend much of the year between St Ninian’s and Lindisfarne. I will keep a close eye on his progress and advise you.”
“Bless you Bec. I know I can rely on you.”
The next morning Bec and Fergus set out on their journey. For Fergus it was a great adventure. He was sad to say goodbye to his mother, but he had seen her only a few times over the past few years and was actually closer to Danan and his foster family
For the first several days they were able to sleep in huts of Christian farmers that Bec knew. The farmers would not accept any payment, so Bec would conduct a short religious service for the family. That pleased everyone.
Bec arranged for a curach to take them across the large waterway known as the Firth of Forth which saved many days walking upstream to a ford. All told, it took ten days in easy stages to reach Lindisfarne. They were now in the land of the Angles. There were no Pictish tribes here.
The farmhouses they stayed in now, were occupied by much stockier, thick set people, not nearly as tall as the Picts. Fergus thought their women were not as attractive as the Picts either.
When they reached Lindisfarne. Fergus was surprised to see that the monastery was in fact on an island. “Where are the boats? How do we get across?”
“We don’t need boats. We walk.”
Fergus smiled in disbelief. “I have heard of your Gods Bec, who walk on water. I didn’t know you were a God. I can swim but not walk on water.”
Bec smiled back. “All in good time young Fergus. I guarantee you will be able to walk to the island later today.”
And of course Lindisfarne was a tidal island. Twice a day the tide came in and covered the sand walkway, and twice a day it receded leaving a trail marked by wooden posts to show the way. Later that afternoon Bec and Fergus walked over to Lindisfarne.
There were about 150 monks on the Island. There were many students and visitors who were accommodated as well. Fergus settled in and looked forward to learning this new skill, ‘reading and writing’.
When he saw his first codex in the scriptorium with its wonderfully colorful characters, it almost took his breath away. He had never seen anything so beautiful in his entire life and was totally captivated. The most difficult adjustment for Fergus was the lack of physical activity at the monastery compared to his very athletic life at Alba. Within the first week he was becoming very agitated. Bec conferred with Abbot Colmán who suggested he be given the task of collecting the milk from the farm on the mainland every day.
Fergus at first thought that was too easy a task. However, he soon discovered the timing would be slightly different every day because of change in the tides. The monk charged with teaching him Latin was not happy, that one of his pupils would arrive for lessons slightly later each day.
After careful consideration Fergus decided he would leave for the mainland every morning at first light. If the tide was out – fine. If not, he would swim. Not an easy task when the currents and rips were in full swing. At times he would reach the mainland some leagues further away from the normal landing point and would have to run to the farm to collect the milk. Well that was okay getting to shore. But how could he get the milk back to the monastery when the tide was in?
Discussion with the farmer led to the farmer pouring the milk into two large leather sacks which were double sewn at the top to make them waterproof. Fergus would carry them on his back if the tide was out, and if the tide was in, he would swim back. The milk containers floated easily in the sea water.
This meant the milk arrived before mid-morning every day and Fergus pushed his growing body so that it began filling out. It also helped him work off most of that youthful energy and he could concentrate more on his studies.
After one month when Bec was satisfied that Fergus had settled in satisfactorily, he took his leave to return to St Ninian’s. Bec would continue to check on Fergus progress every three months or so over the next three years.
And that is how Fergus tamed some of his youthful exuberance, and began gaining wisdom
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Chapter 6 - Celtic Church versus Rome
Culann felt a terrible empty feeling in his chest. He blindly turned and walked to the shore and sat there mindlessly on a rocky outcrop. He cried, covering his face with his cloak, so no one could see.
Iona was high on the itinerary of any traveler coming from Éire to any settlement in Dál Riata. News from Éire was eagerly sought from those travelers, who were always given hospitality on Iona, because Éire, that wonderfully green island was the birthplace of many of the monks at the monastery.
Culann had heard soon after he arrived, that Fea had become a novice nun at St Brigid's. Then one day a visiting monk brought news of a terrible plague that had ripped through St Brigid's. More than half of the monks and nuns had died, he told his apprehensive audience.
Culann sought out this monk and asked him if he had met a nun called Sister Fea. The monk stroked his chin in thought, and replied that he had met all the surviving nuns, but he could not recall one named Fea. "Perhaps your friend did not survive the plague." he suggested sadly.
Culann felt a terrible empty feeling in his chest. He blindly turned and walked to the shore and there sat mindlessly on a rocky outcrop, and cried, covering his face with his cloak, so no one would see.
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Mid-Summer Day [24 June] had just passed in the year of our Lord 664, when Abbot Cumméne called a meeting of the monks of Iona, to discuss the push by the Church of Rome, to change the teachings of the Celtic Church.
"We have had disputes through the years with the Church of Rome about many things. They want to have Bishops to run the Church. That is because their church is centered in large towns and cities. They keep to the cities to curry favor with the ruling kings and princes. They consider the countryside (which is for the most part, heathen) too dangerous and refuse to venture outside the city walls.
"We in the Celtic Church see no need for Bishops. We don't have any cities in Ireland [Cities or towns were not known in Ireland until the 9th century, when they were established by the Vikings] or in Caledonia. Our churches and monasteries are in the country side, where the people are who need our guidance and support live. We only need Abbots to run our churches and monasteries. We are not afraid to go into the countryside and preach t
he gospel.
"The Roman tonsure is different from ours. Instead of shaving the head from ear to ear as we do and letting our hair grow long at the back, the Romans shave the top of their head.
“Why? Because that is how they used to identify slaves in the Roman world, by shaving the tops of their heads. They say we Christians are all slaves of God.
"I say we are not slaves of anyone. Wasn't it our beloved Saint Patrick who cried out in pain at the act of British Christians capturing and enslaving Irish Christians over two hundred years ago. We worship God. We are not slaves of God.
"However the most significant difference between the Celtic Church and the Roman Church lies in the calculation of the date of Easter, our most important religious festival celebrating the resurrection of Christ. There can be a difference of up to two weeks or more between the two churches in any given year.
"The Celtic Church is governed by love. The Roman Church is governed by law and regulations. They want everything to be the same.
"I am advised by our man in Lindisfarne, Abbot Colmán, a major problem has arisen in the northern kingdom of Northumbria. As you know Northumbria is currently ruled by King Oswy who became king after his very successful brother, Oswald, was killed in the year of our Lord 641. Although they are Angles, both Oswald and Oswy spent time in Ireland and Iona when they were in exile, so we expect Oswiu to be sympathetic to our cause.
"However in 642 Oswy married a princess from a ruling family in Kent called Eanflaed."
"But King Oswy is already married to the British princess Rieienmellt" blurted Bryan.
"Ah yes Brother Bryan, but Kings sometimes make their own rules. Oswy no doubt married the princess from the important Kentish royal family to strengthen his rule in Northumbria.
He is under threat from the neighboring pagan king, Penda of Mercia, also by his own son Ealhfrith, [Alfred] as well as his cousin Ethelwald, [OEthelwald of Deira] the son of his brother Oswald who ruled before him.
"The king of Northumbria has many enemies and so needs to find more friends."
"I have trouble following who is who. I wish these Northumbrian kings would take simple names." said Bryan.
"Like Bryan." smiled Abbot Cumméne.
"Yes like Bryan." stated Bryan.
"Back to the important matter at hand" said Abbot Cumméne serious again. "The king, while in exile in Ireland and Iona from the age of four until he was twenty-one, was of course brought up in the Celtic Church. His wife Eanflaed however was brought up under the Roman faith. And the Romans celebrate Easter on a different date to ours.
"Things were brought to a head at the last celebration of Easter at king Oswy's court. While the king was celebrating Easter his wife Eanflaed was still fasting for Lent."
Bryan interrupted, laughing "The problem is the Queen, under the laws of Lent, is prohibited from engaging in any sexual activity, while the randy King was ready and rearing to go. That does not make for a happy marriage, nor a happy kingdom."
"Just like a woman. Not able to see things clearly." murmured Culann from the back of the room.
"Ho, Brother Culann. You have had much experience with women then?" asked one of his fellow monks in jest.
"No, just one. Enough to learn they do not see the world through a man's eyes." retorted Culann to the general amusement of the gathering.
Abbot Cumméne took control of the meeting again. "To solve this dilemma once and for all, King Oswy has called a special church council, or Synod, to determine whether we follow the Celtic or Roman method of calculating the celebration of Easter."
"It is to be held at the monastery of Whitby which is run by our own Abbess Hilda. It is located south of our main monastery on the east coast, Lindisfarne.
“Abbot Colmán of Lindisfarne will represent the Celtic Church. He has sent me this notice and requested we send some monks as assistants and observers to accompany him. You may be aware Lindisfarne has both Celtic and Roman monks studying and working there.
"The Synod is scheduled to take place at the end of September. That leaves us just three months to send our contingent to Whitby. I would ask Brother Bryan, who has spent time in Lindisfarne, to lead our contingent."
Bryan chose three other monks to accompany him to Whitby; Daire, and Eamon both excellent scribes, and to keep them safe on the way, Brother Culann.
Abbot Cumméne prepared a long epistle [from the Greek epistole meaning ‘letter’. Christian epistles were written in a formal style with the author named first, followed by the recipient. The body of the letter followed. It was usually very concise as writing required much expense in ink, paper and time. The scribe may be mentioned together with the messenger at the end] for Abbot Colmán, which he handed to Bryan. And he gave this advice "Brother Bryan, the soldiers who guard king Oswy's court are Angles. They are a warlike race from across the North-Sea. Although Oswy is a Christian, the Angles are still mostly heathen and have no love for the Irish. I am pleased you are taking Brother Culann, but you should be careful. We are in need of your services when you return."
Culann on the other hand was overjoyed to have been selected to accompany Bryan. He had never been on such a long journey in a strange land before. When conferring among his fellow travelers, they indicated their party would be away for at least a year, perhaps longer.
The next day everyone gathered in the sheltered cove to wish the four monks God Speed and a safe trip. They entered the curach which would take them initially around the island of Jura then south to the mainland at Dumbarton Rock on the River Clyde.
"Brother Bryan will you be passing the monastery at Jura?" enquired Abbot Cumméne.
"Yes of course it's on the way."
"Would you mind delivering this latest batch of gospels from the scriptorium. " asked Abbot Cumméne "I have also enclosed an epistle to Abbott Ecne advising him of your mission to Lindisfarne and Whitby.” Bryan nodded agreement, taking the package.
The curach was cast off, the four sailors rowing strongly until the sail could be raised, while the monks waved farewell.
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6.1 The Novice Nun
Fea with young Sister Tamara and the milk maids. Abbess Harbondia suggested Fea be taken outside the Abby buildings in ‘God’s garden’ to recover. Fea used this opportunity to study the Latin translations of the Greek Galen’s medical texts.
Following Culann’s abrupt departure from St Brigid's monastery, Fea moped for two days. She spent most of her time sitting and praying at the grave of Sister Mish. Nothing the sisters said or did, seemed to shake her out of her depression.
Sister Una, designated as her attendant during this time, reported to the Abbess, her charge seemed very dejected. "Why even this morning I found her trying to scratch her own face, enough to draw blood, before she was restrained."
"I think she believes all these tribulations have been caused because of her beauty, and she is trying to disfigure herself." suggested Abbess Harbondia.
The Abbess suggested Fea be taken outside the abbey buildings, and into the sunshine. "Take her out with the sisters looking after the milk cows. That will keep her outside in God's garden for a while."
So next morning Fea was encouraged to walk with the sisters who acted as milk maids, herding the cows to pasture, and then returning them each evening to the cow sheds, in the monastery.
At first Fea seemed to just go through the motions of walking. Her mind was obviously elsewhere. But suddenly, in the early afternoon she began peering intently at the milk maids.
That evening she asked to see the Abbess. "Mother I have a question."
"Yes Fea, ask and I will see if I can help you."
"I notice all the milk maids have some sort of pox or blisters on their hands and some on their face. But I have not noticed that with any other nuns in this monastery."
"You are indeed observant my dear." responded the Abbess Harbondia. "Over the years we noticed s
uch effects, not just on our girls, but on many milk maids, all over the region. It is sometimes not a pretty sight, but it does not cause any harm to the girls, and they all remain in good health. God sometimes moves in mysterious ways, and we don't know why he does this."
It does not harm them, but it disfigures many of them. "Mother Abbess" said Fea after thinking for a moment "You have been more than kind in looking after me all these weeks."
"We are here to do God's work my child. Ever since St Brigid founded this monastery under the mighty oak tree over 100 years ago, we have never closed our doors to anyone needing guidance or healing. We are pleased to have been able to help you in our small way."
"You have been of great help to me Reverend Mother." said Fea sincerely "May I ask a further favor?"
"Of course my child."
"I would like to stay in God's house and study to become a nun. Can you accept someone such as me?"
"Why of course my dear. You would be especially welcome. You studied here as a young girl. I have been praying you might wish to stay with us."
"There is one thing I would ask. Could I work with the milk maids, with the cows?"
"Why of course my dear. But that is not very challenging for someone with your education. Is there not something else you wish to do? We have a very advanced tapestry school as well as an excellent needlework and sewing classes."
"I think being in the open all day would give me plenty of time to study. As a student here, I enjoyed reading and learning Latin. Could I study while tending the cows?"
"Why goodness gracious me. I don't believe I've ever had anyone request that before. However, I can't see why not. Instead of coming to the chapel three or four times a day, you could study the scriptures all day out in God's garden."
Not exactly what I had in mind, but that will do for now. "Thank you Reverend Mother. You have made me very happy." said Fea as she rose, kissed the Abbess hand, and left the room.