One foot in the baptismal font
The king of Friesland converted
Or so at least Willibrord thought
His mission sponsored by the Franks
He rode out to the northern woods
To bring Redbad the word of God
But then the king stroked his blonde beard
And he looked at the holy man
A puzzled look upon his face
If Christians go to Heaven
Tell me, where then do pagans go?
Where are the old kings of Friesland?
Willibrord stuck to his teachings
Heathens go to hell, it was said
King Redbad would go to Heaven
At that the king stepped out of the font
Redbad refused to be baptized
In Heaven he would be alone...
|
Written by maipenrai (783 comments posted) 15th December 2007 |
Intesting Fieldermous, of course we all go to to paradise with our twenty sevin virgins, that right or not??
|
Written by fellpony (1522 comments posted) 15th December 2007 |
he's been watching that TV advert again hasn't he - or someone sent him the story about the man with the dog who gets refused entry to heaven unless he leaves the dog outside, then finds that was really hell ...
a good tale. I didn't realise the "refuse to enter heaven if your mates can't join you" philosophy was that old. |
Written by Fledermaus (3160 comments posted) 15th December 2007 |
Hi Bernie and Sue,
I don't think they had TV ads in 718 AD. It took a few more saints (and martyrs) to convert the Frisians...
Thanks for your comments. |
Written by Phil (6439 comments posted) 15th December 2007 |
A foot in both camps?
As above - a good tale.
Phil |
Written by Fledermaus (3160 comments posted) 15th December 2007 |
Thanks Phil.
Oh btw. Above I mention 718. Another source I just checked says 690 and blames another missionary... |
Hello
Written by Josie (2548 comments posted) 16th December 2007 |
| Did he have a sense of humour. Poor Mr Sanctimonious discovered that they only let you into Heaven if you can laugh at other's jokes. My sentiments are much in line with all those above. Well done. |
Written by Fledermaus (3160 comments posted) 16th December 2007 |
Thanks Josie.
Well who knows. I never thought of it as a joke, but then, maybe it was and Redbad wanted to show the Christians they could spare the trouble as there was not a chance of ever converting him.
Well, if what you say is the case, then Willibrord must have taken it the right way, for he became a saint. |
Hi Fledermaus
Written by jean.day (2208 comments posted) 16th December 2007 |
Ah, the Friesilands, again - my ancestors. I rather think they were peasants rather than kings, however.
I enjoyed this, and laughed at the last line. I considered sending it to my Dutch relatives in America, but as they are very staunch Christians they might not see the humour in it. |
Written by Fledermaus (3160 comments posted) 16th December 2007 |
Thanks Jean.
For some reason I like writing about the Frisians: They fought off the Romans, and resisted both the Franks and the Hollanders (Dutch) for a long long time. Even today they have their distinct language, culture and different names and most seem to be very proud of their background. A bit comparable to the Welsh in UK I think. |
Only registered users can rate and write comments.
Please login or register.
Previous item
