Preface

The inclusion of a fictional introduction was done from the very first days of my composition of The Life & Travels of Saint Cuthwin. At that time, as I do now, I wanted an Edwardian tone to the text to add the luster of reality to my text, plus make reasonable the full range of our story-teller’s language.

Since I was not a specialist in eleventh-century England, but wanted historical accuracy, I had much research to do. I knew I would not deceive the specialist, but wanted to appear that I respected the period, which I do.

The noted exception to historical accuracy is there was never a Cuthwin; he is completely my invention. However, he was real to me at the end, and now. I hope he will be to the reader as well. I do reaffirm that beyond this point, this is a work of historical fiction.

IRVING WARNER, 2018