The Saxons did build some stone churches too, and some of those are still standing (not many though). The Normans were less likely to pull those down, though they would often modify and modernize them.
In line with pre-Columbus views on the origin of North America this is a TED Talk by Navajo, Mark Charles, on the "Doctrine of Discovery": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOktqY5wY4A
He unpacks what 'we the people' actually includes (or not).
Your very well Well-Stories are my sunday treat. Will surely miss them when we're at 50. A few more weeks to dive along into all this, for me, eyeopening history. Thank you Paul.
"The Pontiff in Rome, however, wanted this scruffy, desert Christianity reined in under a hierarchy of Bishops answerable to him, and in Ireland, as in England a century before, the Normans would be his vessels."
An abbot was basically a holy person around whom a community grew up of persons attracted to that holiness. A bishop, on the other paw, is assigned a territory,.so to speak.
No wonder the Pontiff preferred less organic structures with clearer lines of authority and whose authority comes from above, as these are more useful in wielding and expanding Papal power.
Extreme centralism and extreme individualism are the two extremes, though. If religion is simply 'individual' then we have no community to belong to, and no tradition to guide us, and no agreement on what we even believe in. We are ripe for being misled, which is what is now happening in the modern West. At the opposite extreme is state religion as a mechanism of control. I think the life of Jesus shows us the path to walk, which is different to both. But it is narrow and easy to stray from, as he warned us.
It's always the Royal Path, isn't it? It can be such a challenge, requiring us to be constantly engaged and resisting the pull to one extreme or the other. Extremes can be comforting I think, we can plant our flag and do away with the bothersome struggle for continual balance.
there has of course always been a tension between bishop and abbot.
At its best (which it is surprisingly often), this is a life-giving and fruitful tension. At their best, Bishops are chosen from the among the monastics for their holiness; Axios!
At its worst, looking back on the historical conflicts (not least the western captivity of Russia), I'll side with the monastic Fire everytime thank you very much!
In 1132 St. Malachy was made Bishop of Armagh, and for the next few years he proceeded to kick ass and take names in his attempts to make the practices of the Irish church fall in line with that of Rome's. Years ago, I wrote a screenplay about the theft of the relics belonging an obscure Irish saint. In the course of my research, I came across St. Malachy and read part of a letter he purportedly sent to the Pope about his reform efforts in Armagh. Below is a piece of dialogue that is more or less a direct quote from the letter, put in the mouth of a minor character:
"Malachy reported
back that the Irish were so uncouth
in their religious practices, so
rebellious to discipline, and so
filthy in life, that they were
scarcely more than pagans."
To which the other character responds:
"He may have had a point."
Sometimes you come across something so good, you know you have to use it. If Malachy had written the rest of the script, I'd probably be living in Hollywood today.
Not trying to he dramatic but this reminds me of the one Supernatural experience I have had in my life. It was preceded by the sound of a bell. Just one clear ring, and it certainly got my attention. My guess is there will be bells in Heaven, maybe some wells too to hold that Water of Life.
Wait- Guillaume had friends? Certainly nobody I'd set foot into a lifeboat with, preferring the company of actual sharks.
This story today is of curious comfort to this old guy here in the states, where much of both church and state seem prey to the predations of that great, warty ancient toad, which sings earnestly and with ever more omnipresence, singing of money.
And, belatedly, credit where credit is due: Paul's descriptor of Mammon, "the great warty toad" stemmed from the bit he wrote on England's green and pleasant land ("and did those feet") from back in April. A turn of phrase that I've picked up for a conversation point with the financialists who cross my path. And also, RS Thomas' Welsh poetry.
You certainly managed to write something new here I would say!
I'm enjoying vignettes that provide a broader and better coloured history of your area, thank you Paul.
I wonder,
have you explored the Hebrides much, or at all? That was my first true taste of Celtic Christianity. My bones themselves responded to those spiritual lands! I am a "Northey" on my father's side (peoples from the North of Britain; we were famous at one time for rebuffing the Vikings; became close to the crown in that).
But on my mother's side, I am from the hills of Scotland. And this is what I felt in my bones.
How many uncles and grandfathers do I have I wonder, buried in those wild islands? Spirits still living on in the caves and footpaths sanctified by their ascetic prayer?
Saint Oran touched my life most profoundly.
I wonder if you've visited his house Paul, oldest standing structure on Iona?
But back to our native subject: Politics.
Thank you for this connection between then and now; I very much enjoyed Rowan's prophecy! I think you are building peace in us moderns when you do such a thing. For as of old, this time too shall pass. And as Sam the Wise told Frodo, there is hope for new days to dawn at the end, even while we are in the midst of such mad turmoil and scorching of the earth!
Thanks Paul enjoyed the story of the well and the bell found in its waters 🙏 I recently read an article by word on fire on Ray Kurzweil which criticised the singularity etc …which you may find interesting and perhaps have seen .
Just a quick note, Paul, if you are still checking into comments while you are in a media fast… please don’t stop posting here. We are in a wilderness with very few signposts, very few wells, and almost no food. You can stay from all the toxic daily news and concentrate on meaningful content that will help us stay sane. Please!
I'm wondering about the 'Pope' Narrative - it's a bit too neat and certain given the timeframe. In my experience monastics and monasteries have a different flavour to diocesan priests / Bishops and dioceses. There is a feeling of autonomy and in some, 'wildness', despite the architecture, and despite perhaps, a hint of prejudice or at least lack of experiential knowledge about Catholicism.... It bothers me. If you are right, that is.
Greensted Church in Essex is, I think, the only church left in England with some of the original AS wood in it:
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/Greensted-Church-The-Worlds-Oldest-Wooden-Church/
Be careful. I did that for years, and look where I ended up ;-)
It was closed for extensive renovations when I was walking St Peter’s Way two years ago. Unlucky for me but hopefully progressing well.
not enough pictures in that link.
darn. :)
Will explore the internets elsewhere...
What a thing to imagine! All these wooden churches; so ephemeral in contrast to the eternal stone.
The Saxons did build some stone churches too, and some of those are still standing (not many though). The Normans were less likely to pull those down, though they would often modify and modernize them.
and what a lovely bell it is
In line with pre-Columbus views on the origin of North America this is a TED Talk by Navajo, Mark Charles, on the "Doctrine of Discovery": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOktqY5wY4A
He unpacks what 'we the people' actually includes (or not).
Your very well Well-Stories are my sunday treat. Will surely miss them when we're at 50. A few more weeks to dive along into all this, for me, eyeopening history. Thank you Paul.
They are my Sunday treat too. When we get to 50, I plan to re-read & looking forward to that.
Fun reads > Thank you Paul!
At last, up Tipp! Good luck to Clare today, they might have the colours round the wrong way, but at least they’re not Cork.
I'll be in british museum next week. i'll see if i can nick said bell and if i do I'll send it over so you can put it back in the well. love.
Thanks. A great way to start the day 👍✌️
"The Pontiff in Rome, however, wanted this scruffy, desert Christianity reined in under a hierarchy of Bishops answerable to him, and in Ireland, as in England a century before, the Normans would be his vessels."
An abbot was basically a holy person around whom a community grew up of persons attracted to that holiness. A bishop, on the other paw, is assigned a territory,.so to speak.
No wonder the Pontiff preferred less organic structures with clearer lines of authority and whose authority comes from above, as these are more useful in wielding and expanding Papal power.
Extreme centralism and extreme individualism are the two extremes, though. If religion is simply 'individual' then we have no community to belong to, and no tradition to guide us, and no agreement on what we even believe in. We are ripe for being misled, which is what is now happening in the modern West. At the opposite extreme is state religion as a mechanism of control. I think the life of Jesus shows us the path to walk, which is different to both. But it is narrow and easy to stray from, as he warned us.
It's always the Royal Path, isn't it? It can be such a challenge, requiring us to be constantly engaged and resisting the pull to one extreme or the other. Extremes can be comforting I think, we can plant our flag and do away with the bothersome struggle for continual balance.
It's sad that corporate faith cannot rid itself of politics and bloodshed throughout the centuries.
that's why we must rid ourselves of corporate faith. ;-)
there has of course always been a tension between bishop and abbot.
At its best (which it is surprisingly often), this is a life-giving and fruitful tension. At their best, Bishops are chosen from the among the monastics for their holiness; Axios!
At its worst, looking back on the historical conflicts (not least the western captivity of Russia), I'll side with the monastic Fire everytime thank you very much!
In 1132 St. Malachy was made Bishop of Armagh, and for the next few years he proceeded to kick ass and take names in his attempts to make the practices of the Irish church fall in line with that of Rome's. Years ago, I wrote a screenplay about the theft of the relics belonging an obscure Irish saint. In the course of my research, I came across St. Malachy and read part of a letter he purportedly sent to the Pope about his reform efforts in Armagh. Below is a piece of dialogue that is more or less a direct quote from the letter, put in the mouth of a minor character:
"Malachy reported
back that the Irish were so uncouth
in their religious practices, so
rebellious to discipline, and so
filthy in life, that they were
scarcely more than pagans."
To which the other character responds:
"He may have had a point."
Sometimes you come across something so good, you know you have to use it. If Malachy had written the rest of the script, I'd probably be living in Hollywood today.
Not trying to he dramatic but this reminds me of the one Supernatural experience I have had in my life. It was preceded by the sound of a bell. Just one clear ring, and it certainly got my attention. My guess is there will be bells in Heaven, maybe some wells too to hold that Water of Life.
I love these well essays of yours
Wait- Guillaume had friends? Certainly nobody I'd set foot into a lifeboat with, preferring the company of actual sharks.
This story today is of curious comfort to this old guy here in the states, where much of both church and state seem prey to the predations of that great, warty ancient toad, which sings earnestly and with ever more omnipresence, singing of money.
And, belatedly, credit where credit is due: Paul's descriptor of Mammon, "the great warty toad" stemmed from the bit he wrote on England's green and pleasant land ("and did those feet") from back in April. A turn of phrase that I've picked up for a conversation point with the financialists who cross my path. And also, RS Thomas' Welsh poetry.
You certainly managed to write something new here I would say!
I'm enjoying vignettes that provide a broader and better coloured history of your area, thank you Paul.
I wonder,
have you explored the Hebrides much, or at all? That was my first true taste of Celtic Christianity. My bones themselves responded to those spiritual lands! I am a "Northey" on my father's side (peoples from the North of Britain; we were famous at one time for rebuffing the Vikings; became close to the crown in that).
But on my mother's side, I am from the hills of Scotland. And this is what I felt in my bones.
How many uncles and grandfathers do I have I wonder, buried in those wild islands? Spirits still living on in the caves and footpaths sanctified by their ascetic prayer?
Saint Oran touched my life most profoundly.
I wonder if you've visited his house Paul, oldest standing structure on Iona?
But back to our native subject: Politics.
Thank you for this connection between then and now; I very much enjoyed Rowan's prophecy! I think you are building peace in us moderns when you do such a thing. For as of old, this time too shall pass. And as Sam the Wise told Frodo, there is hope for new days to dawn at the end, even while we are in the midst of such mad turmoil and scorching of the earth!
I have hope.
Thanks Paul enjoyed the story of the well and the bell found in its waters 🙏 I recently read an article by word on fire on Ray Kurzweil which criticised the singularity etc …which you may find interesting and perhaps have seen .
Just a quick note, Paul, if you are still checking into comments while you are in a media fast… please don’t stop posting here. We are in a wilderness with very few signposts, very few wells, and almost no food. You can stay from all the toxic daily news and concentrate on meaningful content that will help us stay sane. Please!
I'm wondering about the 'Pope' Narrative - it's a bit too neat and certain given the timeframe. In my experience monastics and monasteries have a different flavour to diocesan priests / Bishops and dioceses. There is a feeling of autonomy and in some, 'wildness', despite the architecture, and despite perhaps, a hint of prejudice or at least lack of experiential knowledge about Catholicism.... It bothers me. If you are right, that is.