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Author Insight
Forgiveness
King Aldfrid lies on his deathbed and asks his niece Abbess Elfleda asks her to forgive Bishop Wilfrid and help restore his position. The same Wilfrid who colluded with King Oswy to bring Northumbria to the Roman church. The churchman who was her aunt, Abbess Hildegard's bitter enemy. The man she held responsible for the enmity between her brother and his first wife. The last thing Elfleda wants to do is forgive Wilfrid. But she must. Her faith teaches forgiveness. Her brother the king commands Elflreda to forgive. How many lifetimes should enmity be allowed to exist?
Book Excerpt
Saxon Heroines
“Elfleda, only you and I are here. Can we put my majesty to the side and talk as two friends? I need your help. I’ve decided we must obey the pope and restore Wilfrid.”
“You can’t do that,” I gasp. “The entire kingdom will be up in arms.”
“Wilfrid is an old man, and I’m gravely ill. We’ll both be dead before anything changes. Promise you will bear witness to my last words. I decree that Wilfrid be forgiven and that the papal directives be followed. I don’t want Wilfrid on my conscience when I greet God.”
If Aldfrid forgives Wilfrid, I have to do the same. I don’t want to forgive Wilfrid. He destroyed the Columban church. He hurt my brothers and Abbess Hildeburg.
“Is it such a hard promise for you to make, Elfleda? How many times did Jesus say we should forgive? Once? Twice?”
I swallow. “Jesus said we should forgive up to seventy times seven.”
“You must agree Wilfrid hasn’t wounded us so many times as that.” Aldfrid tries to smile.
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