Athelney, summer, 894-904 AD
Athelney, summer, 894-904 ADIf in my narrative I have failed to convey John’s intellect, I can do no better than quote our friend, Bishop Asser, who in his Life of Alfred, wrote of him: “a man of most acute intelligence, immensely learned in all fields of literary endeavour, and extremely ingenious in many other forms of expression.” Let me add to this a small incident that occurred during the abbot’s convalescence.
Life of Alfred, One morning, he asked for some sheets of parchment, and pen and ink. At the time, I wondered why he needed them. Later in the day, on my return to his quarters, I discovered the reason. His body required time to heal, which was why I found him asleep, but his mind was ever active.
Three pages with writing lay on the floor by the b
