Aelfwynn was the scholar. Even as a toddler, Guthrum would find his youngest in the sciptorium built into his fortress at Alfred's request. First, the young monks that arrived at the converted Dane's kingdom in East Anglia were terrified of what they might find. Instead, it became one of the most sought after locations other than Alfred's own Winchester for learning. Guthrum's zeal for the written word became as enthusiastic as his pursuit of his new faith.
Most of the monks were enchanted by the fair haired child and even set up a small table with her own scratch parchment and ink. Her hunger for learning was evident from the start. When her older brothers, Eorhic and Aelfweard, showed no aptitude in their studies, they turned their attention to Aelfwynn. One or two of the holy men frowned upon the sight of a girl learning the sacred texts, but Guthrum quickly silenced their ire. They didn't dare speak against their fearsome Lord. Despite his newfound piety, they knew of his savage past, of the blood on his hands that only the Christ could wash away in baptism.
If Guthrum, now called Aethelstan, wanted his daughter to learn the Word of God, it would be done. But to what end, none of them could say.
All of them knew that the Lady Aelfwynn, for all her intelligence and hard work, was destined only for a profitable marriage contract. Regardless of her own dreams and ambitions. Not even the fearsome Guthrum called Aethelstan could protect his only daughter from that fate.
The only one unwilling to accept this reality was Lady Aelfwynn. She knew in her heart that God had put her on this earth to seek His will within the walls of a convent. She desired only to continue her studies at one of the rare establishments that encouraged the nuns to read and write. Her father loved her. God loved her. They would keep her from such a burdensome destiny as a husband.
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Communion of Darkness & Light » Sigtryggr || The Last Kingdom
FanfictionAelfwynn's father is infamous. Once a great jarl of the Danes, Guthrum took up the Christian cross and allowed himself to be baptized into their strange faith. In return, he was given land and power. But his children carry the weight of his former l...
