The Absolutely Oldest Thing In Existence

The following is a letter from the King to the Queen that I wrote while heading south on one of the Alaska State Ferries in 1966. It was before we started writing stories so that the poor lovers could actually reside in the same place. I spent that ferry ride from Junau to Prince Rupert combing through a baby names book to create my own Anglo Saxon English dictionary. Yes, I was a strange 14 year old girl.

January 766

Dearest Jo,

Hast thou written to Anne yet. Lorin hath, and saith I must, also. We are about two weeks from Aesc-dene, yet. I will tell thee thoe, of the servants I have with me.

I hath, of course, Lorin with me, and plenty of “good will” hostages. They are to stay in special quarters on the by. There are five buildings; my cott, called “Cyne-sael;” the circe-et, called “Ealh-tyg;” the animal lath the servants’ cott, “Mercsc-leah,” and a large building called “Cain-colne” in which stay visitors, “good will” hostages and people such as Lorin stayeth.

Knowest I that I am off the subject, I shall draw here ein map of the by;

I’ll now write the people at these places:

(1) Cain-colne;
Lorin and Laurie;
Hostages, Aelf-Lynn (Avon-shire)
Frith-man (Norwichshyre and the less important countries)
Wesling
Weald-wr
Carla
Reod-wr

Any Guests.

(2) Merse-leah

Grooms-Hraefn and Pyt
Cooks, maids, and weavers, etc. – Ceol, Daegga, Oxna, Paegas and Arm-strang
Guards – Weala, Gar, Wulf, Oran-kin, and Sand
Wizards – Glad-win, Snaw-locc.

(3) Cyne-sael
Me (Lawrence)
Personal Guard – Deal-wr
Sometimes Lorin

(4) Ealh-tyg
Presost-Christ-thegn (Father)
Monks- Brother Scottas
Brother Marcus
Brother Leof

Until again I remain,

Thine deora-wr,

Lawrence