Paol, with birds and beasts |
The study of saints has been, in part, an examination of getting people to take the jobs that that do not want. Usually this involves persuading some reluctant hermit to become a bishop. Sometimes, this has disastrous results, as the men chosen have no administrative ability whatsoever. Other times, their reluctance has been suppressing administrative talents which benefit everyone. I guess Paul Aurelian falls in the latter category.
King Mark of Cornwall was one of those guys who show up as supporting figures in the Arthurian legends. Mark was the jealous uncle in the tragedy of Tristan and Iseult. He had attachment issues, I guess; he was friendly and generous to Paul, but when the monk declined to become bishop of Cornwall, he became grumpy. Just before departing to visit his sister, Paul asked King Mark for a particular bell that he admired. Mark peevishly refused to give it to him.
That's a mighty beast to Pol's right |
Withur too thought Paul would make a fine bishop, but he went about it differently. Instead of asking him, and risking rejection, he wrote to King Childebert, requesting that he order Paul to accept the mitre. The King complied and Paul could not refuse. In his old age, Paul tried to retire, but a couple of his replacements predeceased him -- first Joevin and then Tigernomagle. Paul came out of retirement long enough to long enough to prepare Cetomerin to succeed him. That one stuck, so Paul got a few good retirement years before dying at one-hundred four years old.
Going over someone's head to persuade them to take a job seems a poor choice, but it worked out better for Withur than for Mark.
My next kid is going to ge Tigermomagle. Easy to spell and surely there won't be anyone stealing his identity.
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