Voices in Time

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At the moment when Charlemagne had begun to reign as sole king in the western regions of the world, two Scots from Ireland happened to visit the coast of Gaul in the company of some British traders. These men were unrivaled in their knowledge of sacred and profane letters, at a time when the pursuit of learning was almost forgotten throughout the length and breadth of Charlemagne’s kingdom and the worship of the true God was at a very low ebb. They had nothing on display to sell, but every day they used to shout to the crowds who had collected together to buy things, “If anyone wants some wisdom, let him come to us and receive it, for it is wisdom that we have for sale.” They announced that they wanted to sell wisdom because they saw that the people were more interested in what had to be paid for than in anything given free. Either they really thought that they could persuade the crowds who were buying other things to pay for wisdom, too, or else, as subsequent events proved to be true, they hoped that by making this announcement they would become a source of wonder and astonishment. They went on shouting their wares in public so long that in the end the news was carried by the onlookers, who certainly found them remarkable and maybe thought them wrong in the head, to the ears of King Charlemagne himself, who was always an admirer and a great collector of wisdom. He ordered them to be summoned to his presence immediately, and he asked them if it was true, as everyone was saying, that they had brought wisdom with them. They answered, “Yes, indeed, we have it, and in the name of God we are prepared to impart it to any worthy folk who seek it.” When Charlemagne asked them what payment they wanted for wisdom, they answered, “We make no charge, King. All we ask is a place suitable for us to teach in and talented minds to train; in addition, of course, food to eat and clothes to wear, for without these our mission cannot be accomplished.” Charlemagne was delighted to receive this answer. For a short time he kept them both with him. Later on, when he was obliged to set out on a series of military expeditions, he established one of the two, who was called Clement, in Gaul itself. In his care he placed a great number of boys chosen not only from the noblest families but also from middle-class and poor homes, and he made sure that food should be provided and that accommodation suitable for study should be made available. Charlemagne sent the second man to Italy and put him in charge of the monastery of St. Augustine, near the town of Pavia, so that all who wished might join him there and receive instruction from him.

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