The Martyrdom of Charles the Traveler

related in the style of the Venerable Bede


In this our Kingdom of the West occurred the suffering of Charles the Traveler. The time was near the start of the reign of Jade and Juana, sovereigns of happy memory. Charles was well-known before his blessed ordeal as a humble pavilion-porter. Indeed, many were the times when members of the shire would arrive, hot and weary, seeking solace and shade. They would, to their everlasting joy, find many pavilions already in place to provide shelter from the sun's rays or the wind's gusts. Certainly this would have been the case on this fateful day; for Charles had arrived early as was his wont. Ever-helpful, Charles was establishing the camp for the sovereigns-to-be. However, Wulfric the baker, that base brute who rejected the upright example of Charles the Traveler, looked upon the order that was generated and became angry. He schemed to put an end to the worthy Charles, using the very accoutrements of the pavilions with which Charles was so familiar.

Charles in his nobility had offered aid to Wulfric in preparing his own pavilion. Unmindful of this generosity Wulfric carefully arranged to mis-align the canvas. Charles struggled mightily to right it, sweating profusely - for the day was exceedingly hot, although not as hot as the fires of jealousy that burned within the fiendish baker's breast. Seizing this opportunity Wulfric lunged with a pavilion pole and thrust it straight at Charles' nose. The pole continued on its fatal course, piercing the head and brain of that most virtuous of men and causing him to roar in pain and anguish. Wulfric, feigning concern, emerged from within the pavilion to see the mighty body of Charles topple. The last words of this righteous mortal sounded somewhat akin to "Why do I always get the stupid injuries?"; yet we can be assured that this is yet another foul calumny put forth by the guilty baker to profane the Traveler's memory.

As scores of horrified people descended upon the scene, the body of Charles the Traveler was borne to the fast-flowing river for a final cleansing before its burial. And there was witnessed a miracle: for while the currents were normally treacherous, the river halted in its bed so that Charles' remains might be washed in safety. Wulfric's heart was moved by this, and he cried out for forgiveness. The voice of the deceased Charles was clearly heard, granting him redemption for his contrition; yet the baker was charged to make this chronicle heard far and wide, that all might know how his jealousy led to this tragic occurrence.

And thus representations of Charles the Traveler show him with the instruments of his martyrdom. He is considered the patron of pavilion-porters, and any who would arrive at a site early to establish a camp for their companions.


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Page created by: Wulfric of Creigull
Changes last made on: June 16, 2002