Introduction
Kipling firmly believed that Christianity should embrace the animal kingdom, and this poem precedes a tale in which a seal plays a key role in the conversion of the South Saxons. That story and this poem are pure fiction, though Eddi (Eddius Stephanus, Stephen of Ripon) really was St Wilfrid’s chaplain.
‘Eddi’s Service’
(Set in AD 687)
EDDI, priest of St Wilfrid
In his chapel at Manhood End,*
Ordered a midnight service
For such as cared to attend.
But the Saxons were keeping Christmas,*
And the night was stormy as well.
Nobody came to service,
Though Eddi rang the bell.
‘Wicked weather for walking,’
Said Eddi of Manhood End.
‘But I must go on with the service
For such as care to attend.
The altar-lamps were lighted,—
An old marsh-donkey came,
Bold as a guest invited,
And stared at the guttering flame.
The storm beat on at the windows,
The water splashed on the floor,
And a wet, yoke-weary bullock
Pushed in through the open door.
Another name for Church Norton in Sussex.
From their disinclination to attend church, we assume that either the Saxons were pagans, or that they kept Christmas as they had been accustomed to keep (much to Bede’s dismay) the pagan fertility festival of Yule.
Although the tale is apparently out of Kipling’s head, it bears some similarities with the only known (and very late) miracle attributed to St Bede, St Bede and the Singing Stones.
Précis
Rudyard Kipling’s poem goes back to the 7th century, and imagines a stormy night and Eddius Stephanus, chaplain to St Wilfrid, holding a Christmas Eve service in Sussex. The locals are tucked up indoors, but Eddi goes ahead, and is rewarded when a congregation of sorts begins to gather: an ox, and an ass. (54 / 60 words)
Rudyard Kipling’s poem goes back to the 7th century, and imagines a stormy night and Eddius Stephanus, chaplain to St Wilfrid, holding a Christmas Eve service in Sussex. The locals are tucked up indoors, but Eddi goes ahead, and is rewarded when a congregation of sorts begins to gather: an ox, and an ass.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, despite, if, may, must, ought, unless, whereas.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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