Will
Nolande, His Story, His Journey
Will
Nolande is a young man born into a poor peasant family. His family
have no land and no possessions, except for their small wooden home
built by his father. The erection of this home was permitted by the
local baron in the forest of his estate.
Will's
father, Robert, is a woodman for the baron; he is allowed to kill one
deer per year, trap rabbits and to forage to feed his family as
payment for his work on the estate. Will's mother, Edythe, cares for
the family and works in the castle's kitchens on feast days. Will
has seven sisters.
Will
has always had a strong faith and had dreams of becoming a monk at
the local abbey. His family, fearful of having no income in the
future if Will followed this path, apprenticed him to the village
blacksmith, Oswald Smythe. Oswald and his wife, Agathe, have no
children. Will honours his mother's and father's wishes as the bible
teaches him and works hard throughout his apprenticeship with great
dedication to learning the craft.
Will
is now entering the final week of his seven year indenture.
Oswald
and Agathe are very fond of Will and all his family; they plan to
leave the forge to him when they pass on. Will has no knowledge of
this.
Oswald
knows Will is deeply religious; Oswald has a brother, Cuthbert, who
is a monk at the nearby abbey. Oswald has allowed Will time each week
to visit Cuthbert to learn some reading and writing. Also, in an
effort to keep the young man interested in the blacksmith business,
for the past two years, Oswald has released Will from his obligations
to go on local pilgrimages. It is Oswald's hope that this will allow
Will to feel he has fulfilled his religious needs.
The
pilgrimages have had the opposite effect; Will feels the urge to join
the church is becoming stronger.
As
Will prepares for his final pilgrimage before completing his seven
year apprenticeship, tragegy strikes his family. His father, Robert,
is gored by a wild boar whilst working in the castle's woodland and
dies from his injuries. Will now knows that is year's pilgrimage
will probably not happen.
The
baron is a good man and promises not to turn the family out of their
home, but with no husband and hunter, there is little hope for Edythe
and Will's seven sisters.
In
a twist of fate, Will is ordered to go to the castle. In the great
hall, the baron introduces him to a nephew. This nephew is rich but
weak willed and reckless. He offers to pay Will a good sum of money
to go on a pilgrimage on his behalf. He wants Will to pray for his
son, who is ill and not improving. Will is to go to France. This is
very common for wealthy people to pay others to make a pilgrimage on
their behalf to save themselves from the deprivations and
difficulties expected of pilgrims during their journey. All parties
agree to the deal and Will is given all details of the journey and
promised the money when the preparations for departure are complete.
Will
takes the minimum amount of money for his needs, as he feels living
in as much poverty as he can whilst travelling will fulfill his
needs from this pilgrimage.
He
entrusts the rest of the money to Oswald for the care of his mother
and sisters. He knows Oswald and Agathe will protect Edythe and her
daughters.
Will
sets off on his arduous journey across the channel and through the
unfamiliar countryside of France. He soon meets other pilgrims
travelling to the same destination. He starts to discuss his
circumstances with these new friends and questions the authenticity
of a proxy pilgrimage. One of the travellers he meets is a member of
the Knights Templar, Hugo de Clair. Will and Hugo strike up an
unlikely friendship; a knight and a common man. Hugo talks to Will
about the ideals of the Knights Templar movement.
He
explains that they pride themselves on protecting the faith and all
followers. They hope their actions will help to bring all aspects of
the religion they love to each and everyone by whatever means. He
encourages Will to believe that the strong can deliver this for the
weak; Will now feels that his mission is worthwhile.
As
they travel together, Hugo realises that Will would be a great asset
to the cause of the Knights Templar and invites him to join them as a
brother. These are the lowest order of the organisation which
consists of the Knights, the Monks and then the Brothers; the
squires, guards, stewards and blacksmiths. All of the Order are
expected to fight on horseback in the Holy War.
Will
must make the choice of following the life he desires, using
the
skills taught to him by Oswald, or returning home to fulfill his
obligations to his family and the blacksmith.
As
Will reaches his destination in France and he begins to climb the
steps to the chapel on his knees, he knows he has much to ponder.
What
will his decision be?
This
is Will's journey – a physical, emotional and spiritual journey –
the textile pieces will reflect this story.
©Gilli
Salmons – 2017 – Near & Far, Maps and Journeys
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