Shroud for the Archbishop Read Online Free

Columba?’
    Fidelma smiled faintly.
    ‘I hold to the rule of Palladius and Patrick who converted our small island to the faith,’ she said quietly. ‘I had been attending the synod at Witebia and came to know the Saxon delegates. It was at the end of the synod that Deusdedit, the archbishop of Canterbury, fell sick and died of the Yellow Plague. Wighard, as archbishop-designate, announced his intention to journey here, to Rome, for the papal blessing of his office, and, as Ultan had instructed me to bring the Regula coenobialis Cill Dara here, I decided to journey in the company of Brother Eadulf, whom I had come to know and respect.’
    ‘And what were you doing in attendance at the council at
Witebia, sister? I have already had news of that argument between the advocates for usage of the customs of Rome and those of your own Irish churches. Did not our Roman representatives win the argument and cause the withdrawal of your Irish delegates?’
    Fidelma ignored the mocking tone in Gelasius’ voice.
    ‘I attended the synod to give legal advice to the delegates of our church.’
    The bishop’s eyebrow shot up in astonishment.
    ‘You were there to give legal advice?’ he asked in bemusement.
    ‘I am not only a religieuse but a dálaigh of the Brehon Court of Ireland … that is, I am an advocate tutored in both the code of the civil law of the Senchus Mór and of the criminal law of the Leabhar Acaill by which our country is governed in justice.’
    Gelasius’ face was a mask of incredulity.
    ‘Is it then the custom for the kings of Ireland to allow women to be advocates in their courts of law?’
    Fidelma shrugged indifferently.
    ‘Among my people, woman can fulfil any profession including kingship and the leadership of their people in battle. Who has not heard of Macha of the Red Tresses, our greatest warrior queen? Yet I have heard that women are not so equally regarded in Rome.’
    ‘You may be assured of it,’ Gelasius replied vehemently.
    ‘Is it true that no women can then aspire to any of the learned professions for public practice in Rome?’
    ‘Indeed not.’
    ‘Then it is a strange society that denies itself the use of the talents of half of its population.’

    ‘No stranger, good sister, than a society that allows women an equal place. In Rome you will observe that the father or husband has complete control over the women of his family.’
    Fidelma grimaced sarcastically.
    ‘It is a wonder that I am allowed to tread the streets of this city without being accosted for my effrontery.’
    ‘Your habit is recognised in place of the stola matronalis and you may not only visit public places of worship, but theatres, shops and law courts. However, these privileges are not open to one who does not wear the habit of a religieuse or who is unmarried. Maidens must remain in the proximity of their own homes. However, women of our upper classes can even take an influential part in affairs of business provided it is done in the privacy of their own palaces and conducted through their husbands or fathers.’
    Fidelma shook her head sombrely.
    ‘Then this is a sad city for women.’
    ‘It is the city of the Blessed Peter and of Paul who brought us light in the darkness of our paganism and it was given to Rome to spread that light throughout the world.’
    Gelasius spoke proudly, perhaps too proudly, as he sat back and studied the young woman. He was a man of his nation, his city and his class.
    Fidelma made no reply. She was diplomat enough to realise when words led only to bolted doors. After a moment or two it was Gelasius who prompted the conversation.
    ‘Your journey, then, was without incident?’
    ‘The journey from Massilia was quiet except for one point when a sail appeared on the southern horizon and the captain nearly ran the ship on to some rocks for fear.’
    Gelasius’ expression was serious.

    ‘It might have been a ship of some of the fanatical Arabian followers of Mahomet who have been