The Blessing of St. Cuthbert

In this year, fierce, foreboding omens came over the land of the Northumbrians, and the wretched people shook; there were excessive whirlwinds, lightning, and fiery dragons were seen flying in the sky. These signs were followed by great famine, and a little after those, that same year on 6th ides of January, the ravaging of wretched heathen men destroyed God's church at Lindisfarne. 

- The Anglo Saxon Chronicles entry for the year 793

It is the year 794, The previous June* pagan Northmen from across the sea attacked and pillaged the island monastery on Lindisfarne; The Holy island. The once home of and now resting place of St. Cuthbert the incorruptible. It is there that your master Eanbald Archbishop of Eforwic (York) has ordered you on pilgrimage, to visit the relics of the saint. He explained that the trip was to further your spiritual development, but later confided that he also had another reason for sending you. “While you pray at the shrine of St. Cuthbert and are in the company of the monastic brethren, observe carefully the practises you see, be mindful of their liturgies and that their formulation does not blaspheme, but especially be ever vigilant for signs that the devil has come among those that dwell on Lindisfarne. For the late tribulations there cannot be without cause. Where there is need, bring god's love, but where there is heresy, be his wrath.”

*The Chronicles state the January for the attack, however most historians agree that this is most likely wrong and have given 6th of June as the most likely date of the Viking raid.