The Rise of Constantinople
By Houston
September 19, 2016

The barbarians were fatal for the Western Roman Empire, so it was imminent that this massive empire would fall. The stunned people were melancholy because they had lost their land. Interestingly, some intrepid parts of the Eastern Roman Empire, which had a brilliant capital city called Constantinople, withstood the tenacious attacks of the barbarians: this was called the Byzantine Empire.

In 527, Justinian the Great, who wanted to restore the glory of the Roman Empire, rose to power. So, his resolved armies fought and recaptured some land that had been stolen. This emperor intently gathered Roman laws into the Justinian Code, which made all the laws around his kingdom the same. Justinian’s once desecrated and dilapidated empire flourished, and Constantinople became the most majestic city in the world.

Augustine the Tenacious
By Houston
September 26, 2016

Ambling along the bumpy, filthy cobblestone streets of Rome on a misty morning, Pope Gregory heard the rattling and clanking of chains, and the cruel screeching spewed forth from the traders. He witnessed the tears on the distraught, melancholy faces of the people on the blocks. The pope knew he had arrived in the fetid slave market.

The pope was stunned by something he saw: three slave boys, whose hair and skin were almost pure white. The intrigued, but bewildered pope sternly asked the slave traders from where the children came.

“They came from the island of Britain,” scoffed the traders. “They are called Anglo-Saxons.”

“No one should have to be a slave,” snapped the pope crossly, rebuking the slave traders for participating in the fatal business. “I’ll buy all three.”

He took the fatigued children home and kindly asked them about their land and their religion. Sadly, they didn’t know anything about God or the Bible.

Pope Gregory, who was downhearted, wanted to send missionaries to Southern England and asked Augustine to lead the massive effort. He and 40 monks, who were resolved to extol the virtues of Christianity, sailed to Britain. Upon arrival, they saw the king, who asked them why they were there.

“We are Christians,” Augustine intrepidly said, “and we’re here to tell your people about the Lord.”

The king generously acknowledged that they could live in Canterbury and preach. Many Anglo-Saxons were converted. In fact, on Christmas 597, Augustine baptized thousands. The pope sent more monks, who built churches all over Southern England. The pope also made the tenacious Augustine the Archbishop of Canterbury. Consequently, he is known as the Apostle of England.

 All Hail the Chosen King
By Houston
October 5, 2016

The whistling wind whooshed wildly in London on this cold Christmas morning. Throngs of people rushed past the empty shops, which lined the snow-covered streets. Bells chimed continuously as the solemn masses pushed hastily toward the warm church.

Among them were Sir Ector, who was an intrepid knight, and his two sons: Sir Kay, also a knight, and Arthur, an 18-year-old squire. The people felt anguish because their king has sadly passed on, and he didn’t have an heir, so the throne was vacant. They were bewildered as to who would be king.

Abruptly, the church started vibrating and quaking, and the gasping people heard a thundering boom and saw sparkling light. They bolted outside and witnessed a massive white stone. On top of it was a ravishing sword embellished with jewels.

The archbishop read the stone’s words, which said, “Whoso pulleth out this sword will be the rightful king of all England.” The knights tried to dislodge the blade, yet none could. Instead, the solid sword stuck steadfastly in the stone.

In London on New Year’s Day, there was a tournament. Charming ladies in fancy dresses laughed happily, while armor-clad knights devoured delectable turkey and drank strong, heady ale. Stunned, Arthur realized that he forgot Kay’s sword.

“You dumb boy!” yelled Kay, scowling at Arthur insolently. “Why did you forget my weapon?”

“Sorry, brother. I’ll go get it,” explained Arthur, who was resolved to make it right.

On the way to the inn, Arthur passed the church and decided to take the beautiful sword instead. Kay was enraged and rebuked Arthur because it wasn’t his worthy sword, and Arthur confessed that he had really gotten it from the stone.

The people didn’t believe him, so they took the squire back to the churchyard, where he put the sword back in and then pulled it out easily. Everyone bowed and extolled Arthur as king!