If you feel a bout of nostalgia coming on, go to Tintagel. In that curious seaside Cornish nook you may feel the presence of one of the great popular heroes of history, King Arthur. If you do find the place atmospheric, you may well conclude that it was quite likely that Arthur had something to do with it. If you are insistent on evidence, you will find that Arthur, if he existed at all, left no trace of his activities of a documentary kind.
Legendary Arthur belongs in the sixth century, 1500 years ago. He led the Britons opposing the Anglo-Saxon invasion and distinguished himself at the battle of Badon. He was a founder of the school of chivalry, had a round table (which can be seen in Winchester cathedral, though it is widely agreed that this was constructed much later) which denoted a fellowship of equals. His entourage included Lancelot, who fell for his wife Guinevere, Tennyson was inspired to compose stories about these gentlemanly warriors and Milton was tempted to write an epic about them rather than Adam and Eve. Thankfully, he resisted the temptation.
Inevitably we put Alfred (the Great) alongside Arthur. He is a hero who actually existed. Legend tells us that he burnt the cakes Written works provide evidence that he was an educated monarch and a capable defender of his country against the invading Danes. His great military success was the battle of Edington, as a result of which he compelled his adversary Guthrum to submit to Christian baptism. He sent envoys to India with gifts for the Ma Thoma Christians (though there is some doubt about this) and encouraged literacy in his domain. He translated or had scholars translating numerous Latin works into the vernacular (Old English or Anglo-Saxon).
Arthur and Alfred doubtless appeal to different sectors of our population. Legendary tales cluster round them both. But in the case of Alfred we have documents. His historical place is assured. We face similar questions when we consider the story of Jesus. His historical place is similarly assured. Much as we enjoy the legendary accretions about Arthur, we have to recognise that in the case of both Jesus and Alfred we are on firmer ground.
ENGLISH WEALTH
A measure of the architectural wealth of England can be gauged by the fact that St Andrew’s, Immingham, Lincolnshire, a grade one listed building, does not qualify for an entry in Simon Jenkins’s ‘Thousand Best Churches’ or Betjeman’s ‘Guide’. Its refreshing website features ‘Holy Toast’ an unpatronising monthly event for children and parents. The Vicar if Julie Donn.
STOCKTON VACANCY
Described as stately and spacious, Stockton parish church may possibly have had some input by Wren to the design of this classical style church. It is advertising an unusual vacancy. It is looking for a social media pastor, ‘a pioneering role aimed at encouraging generation Z and millennials through social media’. The church has had an intensive campaign to counter drug-dealing and is starting an equally intensive discipleship training year in September for 18-24-year-olds. The Vicar, Mark Miller, answers questions about himself, what he does as a vicar, where he comes from, etc in a video.
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