Post by Father William Souris on Dec 24, 2022 19:59:55 GMT
3rd Son of a Merchant from Normandy, William was named after the most famous man from the History of Normandy, Duke William, the Conqueror, who conquered England!
Yet his surname, Souris (The Mouse) far better befitted him. A small man, with mousey hair, a mousey poor attempt at a beard, a mouse-timid manner, and a mouse-stupid inquisitive nature. Lucky he was not a cat!
As third son he would never inherit the shop, would never be given a proper mercantile apprenticeship. As timid as his namesake he would never make himself famous in the Military. What would make him.. comfortable?
Yet choice may not be his, for tradition states the first son follows his father, the second goes into the Military and the third the Seminary. So it was that William went to Rouen, to the seminary. Here he studied, and as he preferred to study than be outside he learnt much. He learnt English, Latin, he learnt the Bible, History, Music and Anatomy.
Finally, after many years at the Seminary, Father Paulo called him in.
"My Son, you are well rounded in many skills, and those areas where you lack you will likely not need. Why would a priest need to dance, or wield a sword?"
William thought for a moment "Being a student suits me I think. It is... safe... in here. I .. do not wish to leave..."
Father Paulo smiled sadly "Your knowledge of the Bible would shame many a parish Priest, your medical skills equal some doctors in Paris, but.. I see your future as a Priest. It is time to go, you cannot stay here longer. Leave soon as a Priest, or later as a pauper!"
William grew anxious "but where do I go? And... WHY can I not just stay here with you?"
Father Paulo smiled sadly, again "I am not long for this life, I feel the call of He who calls all eventually. My heart misses a beat, and I know my time is near. My successor will not look kindly on a student whose skills exceed his own! Besides, if you find yourself truly unsuited as a Priest, become a docteur!"
William nodded and within a few weeks had completed his training as a Priest, and so set out for Paris. Paris it seemed was where men of piety were needed, to deal with the plague of the pox. Well if men of piety could not be found, then William would have to Suffice!
Yet his surname, Souris (The Mouse) far better befitted him. A small man, with mousey hair, a mousey poor attempt at a beard, a mouse-timid manner, and a mouse-stupid inquisitive nature. Lucky he was not a cat!
As third son he would never inherit the shop, would never be given a proper mercantile apprenticeship. As timid as his namesake he would never make himself famous in the Military. What would make him.. comfortable?
Yet choice may not be his, for tradition states the first son follows his father, the second goes into the Military and the third the Seminary. So it was that William went to Rouen, to the seminary. Here he studied, and as he preferred to study than be outside he learnt much. He learnt English, Latin, he learnt the Bible, History, Music and Anatomy.
Finally, after many years at the Seminary, Father Paulo called him in.
"My Son, you are well rounded in many skills, and those areas where you lack you will likely not need. Why would a priest need to dance, or wield a sword?"
William thought for a moment "Being a student suits me I think. It is... safe... in here. I .. do not wish to leave..."
Father Paulo smiled sadly "Your knowledge of the Bible would shame many a parish Priest, your medical skills equal some doctors in Paris, but.. I see your future as a Priest. It is time to go, you cannot stay here longer. Leave soon as a Priest, or later as a pauper!"
William grew anxious "but where do I go? And... WHY can I not just stay here with you?"
Father Paulo smiled sadly, again "I am not long for this life, I feel the call of He who calls all eventually. My heart misses a beat, and I know my time is near. My successor will not look kindly on a student whose skills exceed his own! Besides, if you find yourself truly unsuited as a Priest, become a docteur!"
William nodded and within a few weeks had completed his training as a Priest, and so set out for Paris. Paris it seemed was where men of piety were needed, to deal with the plague of the pox. Well if men of piety could not be found, then William would have to Suffice!