people. I did not realise that it had led to bloodshed.’
Berrihert grimaced wryly. ‘To say that it was not a popular decision is an understatement, Eadulf. Abbot Colmán said he could no longer preside at Lindisfarne and serve Oswy’s churches. He announced that he would return to his native land so that he could practise his faith in the way in which he had been raised. Many decided to follow him. Colmán asked Oswy to choose a successor at Lindisfarne. The king chose Tuda, who was from the kingdom of Laigin. Although the Blessed Aidan at Lindisfarne had trained him, Tuda espoused the reforms of Rome. When Tuda agreed to succeed him, Colmán withdrew from the kingdom. Many went with him, including some thirty of the faithful community from Lindisfarne.’
‘I thought that Eata, the abbot of Melrose, became abbot of Lindisfarne?’ said Eadulf.
‘Tuda was dead within the year from the dreadful Yellow Plague and then Eata succeeded him. My brothers and I — indeed, my father and mother also — had joined Colmán. We first travelled north through Rheged and then west to Iona. From Colmcille’s little island community, to which we owe so much, we sailed across the sea to this land. Colmán was from the kingdom of Connacht and he sought the permission of the local prince of the Uí Briúin to settle on Inis Bó Finne, the island of the white cow, to the west. Permission was given and we established our community there.’
‘I have heard stories of that community. I was told that it prospered.’
Brother Berrihert shook his head sadly. ‘For the first year we prospered, and then we received an emissary from Ard Macha.’
‘Ard Macha?’ Eadulf was surprised. He knew the abbey was in the northern kingdom of Ulaidh. ‘What did Ard Macha seek in Connacht?’
‘The emissary was an abbot who came to demand that Colmán, and our community, recognise Ard Macha as the centre of the Faith among all the kingdoms of this land. He had an arrogance of manner that reminded me of Wilfrid.’
‘Wilfrid who was the main advocate of Rome at Witebia?’
‘The same. I had known Wilfrid since he was a callow youth sent by Queen Eanflaed to Lindisfarne to be taught religion. Wilfrid was, and is, an ambitious man. He went to Rome and then to Canterbury and, I believe, he expected to become leader of all the churches of the Angles and the Saxons. He was angry when it was not so. Alas, his demeanour was dictatorial and he never allowed that there could be many paths in religion other than the one he advocated.’
‘And you observed the same qualities in this abbot from Ard Macha?’
‘He and Wilfrid might have been born from the same womb. The abbot, as I said, was an emissary from the abbot and bishop of Ard Macha. Colmán, having rejected the ideas of Rome once, was not averse to rejecting similar demands again. But this man was very cunning and, indeed, had persuasive arts. Once more there arose arguments and dissension among the brethren. Some decided to accept what this envoy from Ard Macha argued. They were led by a brother from the East Saxons named Gerald. There was no dwelling in harmony with him and those who had been persuaded to follow him. Finally, they left our island and went to found a new abbey on the mainland — a place called Maigh Éo. .’
‘The plain of yews? I know of it.’
‘We, my brothers and I, became increasingly saddened by what was happening. We saw how this man had destroyed our united community and knew that he would continue to work against those who wanted to follow the original teachings. When he came again to our island, great unrest followed.’ He paused and swallowed, pulling a grim face. ‘In that unrest our mother, elderly like our father, was killed. That was when we decided to leave Colmán and our island community and come south, to somewhere away from the dissension. Somewhere where we can dwell in peace and follow our religion without interference.’
Caol intervened for the first time. ‘What made you choose this place?’
Berrihert smiled broadly and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. ‘God led our footsteps here.’
Miach, who had been patiently following the conversation even though he had heard the story before, was nodding slowly. ‘And you, Eadulf, say that you know these Saxons?’
‘That is so, Miach.’
‘Then I am willing to allow them sanctuary in this valley, among my people.’
Brother Berrihert came to his feet and offered his hand to the chief. ‘God will bless you for your generosity, Miach.’
The chieftain smiled grimly as he took the man’s hand. ‘It is my people who need the blessing, my Saxon friend. As Eadulf here will tell you, we have been at the forefront of raids by the Uí Fidgente, until a few years ago our king Colgú managed to defeat the army that they sent against us on the slopes of Cnoc Aine not far from here. My people have suffered much. But, thanks be to wise counsels, we seem to have emerged from that conflict and we now look forward to a time of peace. So blessings come at an appropriate time. Is it not so, Caol?’
Caol nodded enthusiastically.
‘These Saxon friends of Eadulf have joined us at a most appropriate time,’ he added. ‘In two days, Eadulf and our lady Fidelma, sister to our king Colgú, renew and strengthen their marriage bonds in a great celebration at Cashel.’
Brother Berrihert turned to Eadulf. ‘We have already heard tales of Fidelma and Eadulf and of their deeds. Was it the same Fidelma whom you helped in uncovering those responsible for the terrible murders at Witebia and averting a great war between the Saxon kingdoms?’
‘It was the same Fidelma,’ replied Eadulf solemnly, but not without pride in his voice.
Brother Berrihert clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Then we must come along to this ceremony, if we are allowed, to bless this great occasion.’
Eadulf shrugged. ‘I see no reason why you should not attend. Are you truly going to settle in the glen and build a church?’
Brother Berrihert was serious. ‘That is truly our intention, Eadulf. What better place than this lovely oak- strewn valley, its tranquil passes and great salmon river? This is where our footsteps have been guided in our search for solitude. And now that we have the approval of Miach, we may look forward to a future without conflict. Without the constant
‘The what?’ frowned Miach, who was no Latin speaker.
‘Mine and thine,’ interpreted Eadulf automatically. ‘I wish you well in this endeavour, Berrihert. But do not think that conflicts over the Faith do not intrude in this part of the world. There are as many arguments here as anywhere. Perhaps scripture has foretold it?
‘And I shall put a division between my people and your people,’ translated Brother Berrihert. He gestured to the woods around him. ‘This will be our fortress of peace. Anyone who does not respect the views of another will be told that their disruptive influence is unwelcome here.’
‘It is a good objective to aim for,’ Miach agreed. ‘You will be twice welcomed for maintaining that philosophy.’ He stood up and held out his hand to Eadulf. ‘I am sorry that you had such a long ride here, but I had to be sure that you knew these compatriots of yours. I thank you, Brother Eadulf. I give them these dwellings and this land to start their community. And now I must return to my rath.’
He bid them farewell, and then he and his warriors departed.
Caol was glancing up at the sky through the canopy of branches.
‘If we left now, Brother Eadulf,’ he said, ‘we could be back just after dusk.’
‘There is much I would like to discuss with you all,’ Eadulf said reluctantly, encompassing Berrihert and his brothers with his glance. ‘It is a long time since I was in my homeland, and even longer since you were. It would be good to talk and reflect on the changes that have come upon us.’
Brother Berrihert smiled his agreement. ‘You have much to do in these coming days, Eadulf. But, God willing, we shall come to Cashel to mark your momentous day. Thereafter, you will always find us in this place.’
Caol fetched the horses and Eadulf shook hands with them all, including Ordwulf. The old man still seemed distant, and had taken no part in the conversation. He seemed to be dwelling in his own inner world.
‘I am glad that I have been able to put Miach’s mind at rest,’ Eadulf assured Berrihert, at parting. ‘And good to see countrymen of mine dwelling here. I pray things will work out for you all.’
‘At least, from what I hear of this kingdom, you will not get an envoy from Ard Macha coming to demand
