Aside from its purchasing power, money is useless as far as I'm concerned.
Alfred Hitchcock
Shriving Day
‘You’ll be looking forward to the feast tomorrow, Father,’ said Edgar.
Edgar always calls me father and I put up with it; it is better than priest, God knows, I am no holier than thou priest; I am simply an old warrior, who found his God late in life and joined a monastery, where I’m known as Brother Osbert.
‘Aye, it’ll be the last chance to have a good feed, before the fasting begins.’
Not that it will be much more than simple fare, just the meagre supplies that the good people of Chippenham have managed to hide from Guthrum’s men and of course the traditional pancakes to use up the fat, butter and eggs that are prohibited during Lent. It may not be more than plain food, but anything will taste better than the fish and eels, we had to eat at every meal, while we were in the swamps of Athelney.
Nigh on two months we spent camped there, while King Alfred gathered his scattered forces. Then, when the swamps could hold no more, we burst out to drive Guthram and his Viking army back beyond Chippenham. That was yesterday, and here we shall stay awhile, for the holy days are upon us and there will be no more battles, until Easter has passed.
‘I don’t suppose there’s a chance of meat, to go with tomorrows pancakes?’ I ask.
Tomorrow is Shriving Day and when the bell rings, My Liege insists that we all attend church, to be shriven of our sins before lent. And the day after tomorrow we shall all fast, of that there is nothing surer. For we are followers of King Alfred and the King is a pious man who adheres strictly to the teachings of the church and expects us to follow suit.
‘I’ve sent Aldric and the men to scour the country, who knows? They may be lucky and find a boar, Father.’
‘I’ll pray to Saint Guthlac for success; I do like a nice piece of pork.’
Mind you, I thought, if they do catch a boar, by the time it’s shared with Edgar’s sworn men, the portions are going to be small. Still, we can fill up with pancakes; there are always plenty of them on Shrove Tuesday.
