To: Inhabitants of the Third Millennium
From: Henry of Huntingdon, 12th c.
I recently read the epilogue of the Anglo-Norman historian, Henry of Huntingdon's Historia Anglorum where he reflects on time and its passage. One excerpt especially stirred me. Henry, a 12th century historian, addresses those in the third millennium (us!) on the topics of time, meaning, and the finitude of humanity. Writing in the year 1135, he reflects on the year 135 and looks forward to 2135, spanning 2,000 years of history. For us living in the third millennium, this is the ultimate time-capsule of the written word. It is an evocative genre of, “if you’re reading this…”. Read his exhortation below and continue reading for a brief reflection. Henry wrote this to you and I, inhabitants of the third millennium.
“I ask myself: tell me, Henry, author of this History, tell me, who were the archdeacons of that time? What does it matter whether they were individually noble or ignoble, renowned or unknown, praiseworthy or disreputable, exalted or cast down, wise or foolish? If any of them undertook some labour for the sake of praise and glory, when now no record of him survives any more than of his horse or his ass, why then did the wretch torment his spirit in vain? What benefit was it to them, who came to this?
Now I speak to you who will be living in the third millennium, around the 135th year. Consider us, who at this moment seem to be renowned, because, miserable creatures, we think highly of ourselves. Reflect, I say, on what has become of us. Tell me, I pray, what gain has it been to us to have been great or famous? We had no fame at all, except in God. For if we are famed now in Him, we shall still be famed in your time, as lords of heaven and earth, worthy of praise with our Lord God, by the thousands of thousands who are in the heavens. I, who will already be dust by your time, have made mention of you in this book, so long before you are to be born, so that if - as my soul strongly desires - it shall come about that this book comes into your hands, I beg you, in the incomprehensible mercy of God, to pray for me, poor wretch. In the same way, may those who will walk with God in the fourth and fifth millennia pray and petition for you, if indeed mortal man survives so long.”
Henry’s humility and awareness of his finitude is powerful. He recognizes that at the moment of his writing, many people in his time (probably himself included) are well-known and perhaps think too highly of themselves. He asks of us in the third millennium to reflect on his time period, “what gain has it been to us to have been great or famous?” Additionally, Henry—an archdeacon—asks himself if he can name the archdeacons of the year 135. He cannot. As if to prove his point, he admits that despite his renown as a historian in 1135, he will be dust when third millennium inhabitants read his words. For Henry, “fame in God” is the only thing that will ultimately matter beyond the next thousand years.
This excerpt has an apocalyptic, haunting flavor to it. Imagine writing a letter for people to read in the year 4135. It is mind bending to imagine someone reading your words that far away. (Even though that is essentially what we do when we read ancient texts.) However, I would hate for someone to read this article and Henry’s words and come away with the idea that their lives are meaningless and contribute nothing to the world. Or that one cannot contribute anything meaningful to the world if they are not a Christian. Rather, it absolutely matters what we do with our lives right now—loving our neighbor, seeking justice, and doing good. I think Henry’s exhortation seeks to impart to us that fame, renown, and status mean very little in the grand scheme of things. Our lives are finite—here today and gone tomorrow. I sense a call to seek that which is above as we live faithfully in the present. Time passes quickly so there is little time for fame, pride, and storing things up on Earth. Third millennium reader, seek not fame or status, but pursue the love of God and neighbor.
What is your reading of Henry’s words? Is there anything you would nuance?
I hope you enjoyed this reflection on Henry of Huntingdon’s words from 1135. I am excited for the next few weeks (and beyond!) of Give Me a Word because I plan to explore the Anglo-Saxon year and its seasons, especially Fall and Winter. I’m excited to explore The Month of Blood (November) and the Advent season with you. I must make a plug for two resources that have guided this exploration. First, Eleanor Parker’s Winters in the World: A Journey Through the Anglo-Saxon Year and her blog “A Clerk of Oxford” have sparked a keen interest in these topics and I want to share them with you as I think through them. I encountered Henry’s writings on this blog and decided I must write about it. Hence, today’s post. I encourage you to check out her blog if you are interested in medieval literature, especially Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse poetry, history, and mythology. I have spent hours this week reading Parker’s accessible, rich presentation of medieval Anglo-Saxon history (with primary sources!) on her blog. Here is the link:
https://aclerkofoxford.blogspot.com/
Stay tuned for reflections on Old English poetry, sermons, Advent (yay!), and the Anglo-Saxon seasons.