A Cry Went Up From Brother Cuthbert
“This morning I was working in the herb gardens….it was peaceful… and a beautiful morning.
The salt air was bitter on my tongue and the oyster catchers were noisy as they toiled for their breakfast.
Grey seals lay basking in the morning sun…… they were content too.
A cry went up from brother Cuthbert who was shouting from our bell tower. He had spotted the sails first.
We often have visiting traders pay us a visit on our little island. They bring wine and pilgrims. It gives us a chance to get caught up on the news of the outside world.
Recent tales have been grim. Pirates….’Vikings’ they are called, have been raiding the traders vessels, and something is causing a movement of people from the Scandinavian shores. Refugees have come looking for lands on ours and we think that there are very troubled times across the sea.
Brother Cuthbert saw the fleet first…. And he screamed out to us……Flee !
None of us did!
I and my fellows headed towards our holy islands chapel. We sought refuge within its walls. Gathering what few possessions we could, one by one the brethren appeared. Brother Cuthbert had descended from the bell tower and he was in discussion with Aidan…… they looked terrified!
A few moments passed…. Aidan gathered us around him to explain what was happening. There was an air of fear around us all, but we knew not why.
A fleet of seven ships were mooring in our small bay. Many men, armed with great swords, axes and shields were disembarking. Aidan said they did not come in peace!
As he spoke we heard a blood curdling cry from beyond the door…. Wulfbert!
He was outside!
Why have the Vikings come here.?”
Today, Lindisfarne ( Holy Island) is a beautiful place to visit.
But, on 8 June 793, "the ravages of heathen men miserably desecrated God's church on Lindisfarne, with plunder and slaughter". According to the 12th-century Anglo-Norman chronicler Symeon of Durham, the raiders killed the resident monks or threw them into the sea to drown or carried them away as slaves – along with the church treasures. It was one of the first recorded Viking raids.!
https://www.seymourtravels.co.uk/northern-england-2024
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