Tame Weorth, 747 AD
Æthelbald lay on his back in a darkened chamber and stared at the rafters. Beyond the reassuring solidity of the roof, he imagined the immense sky and farther still, the celestial dome, where, all-seeing, the Heavenly Father looked upon the meanest of his creatures. The eye of the Almighty Judge, therefore, must pay particular attention to the kings who reigned over the poorest. No act, good or wicked, of Æthelbald"s, would have escaped His observation. Thus pondered the ruler of Mierce, chastened by the words of Archbishop Boniface, a man venerated throughout the world.
I must repent to save my immortal soul. What am I to do?
With these unaccustomed sentiments to the forefront of his mind, Æthelbald wrote for advice to his appointee, Cuthbert, Archbishop of Cantwara
