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There are
precious few dates and events of which we can be certain in the records
of Dark Ages, as they have come to be known, and we have little
information as to what our ancient forebears were doing on any given day.
We can, however, be pretty sure what our Royal Founder, Athelstan the
Glorious, was doing at Christmas in 935AD! In December of that year, the
English court assembled in Dorset, at the city of Dorchester, in the very
heartland of Wessex, the ancestral domain of Athelstan's family. Being a
Mercian myself, I can forgive this venture to foreign lands!
A royal charter was dated 21st December, just four days before Christmas,
so we can be fairly sure that Athelstan had decided to spend the festive
season in Dorset. His royal entourage, comprised of family members, chief
nobles and senior bishops, would also have been obliged to remain with
him at court, regardless of wherever else they wanted to be! We know too
that the client kings or rulers from other lands, the subreguli who owed
allegiance to him, were there.
Part of the text
of the charter (translated here) tells us who were foremost among the
witnesses:
I, Athelstan, king of flourishing Albion in possession of
the office, confirmed and subscribed this document with the mark of the
holy and always to be venerated cross.
+ I, Wulfhelm,
archbishop of the church of Canterbury, agreed and subscribed.
+ I, Wulfstan,
archbishop of the church of York, agreed and subscribed.
+ I, Owain, sub
king, agreed and subscribed.
+ I, Hywel, sub
king, agreed and subscribed.
Athelstan's
power was widely acknowledged, but how did he exercise it, one might ask?
This Christmas Charter is a gift of land to Malmesbury Abbey in
Wiltshire. In the days before the welfare state and social security, the
NHS and care systems, monastic houses were important providers of the
safety net for those in sickness or need.
Our Royal Founder, in giving to the Abbey, was providing both support and
sustenance to the most underprivileged in his own kingdom, but also an
example to us, for no man stands taller than when he stoops to lift up
the needy.
This Christmas,
as we are once again surrounded with food and family, warmth and joy, let
us remember and emulate the generosity and wisdom of our Royal founder,
his devotion to God and his people, and his care for those in need, for
there are many in this country and world who lack the blessings we take
for granted. Athelstan's peace was shortlived, for enemies circled, but
was still worth striving for!
My prayer, and I
hope that you will share it again this year, is that this Christmas and
in the year to come, under the guiding hand of the Supreme Being and
Creator of all things, the members of our Ancient and Masonic Order will
reflect some of Athelstan's goodness, devotion and works of charity as we
care for those who are both within our order and without.
In the words of the fine carol dedicated to another noble ruler:
In his master's steps he trod,
Where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor,
Shall yourselves find blessing.
Such good works
and blessings are given by the Supreme Being to all men of goodwill,
whatever their creed or calling. In other news: Gutted by the workings of Autoglass for windscreen replacement
Booked to fix Nancy's transporter smashed windscreen and attended today - but immediately declined as he claimed the work required two persons as there was a roof rack on the vehicle and the roof rack overhung the front of the vehicle... Then left though tom stated that he could remove the roof rack ! And so we are in a strange position where she cannot get the vehicle ready for their trip to Aylesbury for Christmas. See what happens tomorrow, but looking to taking them up to Aylesbury in the Vectra and letting them come back in Rosie.. we shall see .. Just rubbish service! Cheers !
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