Wessex Tales: "The Face in the Floor" (Story 10)

By Robert Fripp

The earliest known mosaic floor to depict Christ was laid in a remote Roman villa in Dorset around 325 CE. (Discovered under meadow grass in 1963 it was moved to the British Museum.) The larger end of this mosaic measures 17 feet by 15, the smaller end, 161⁄2 feet by 8. Why lay this magnificent floor in rustic Dorset? “The Face in the Floor" gives the origins of this floor an imaginative history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Fripp
• Release date: Jan 17, 2013
• ISBN: 9780991857517

Robert Fripp

Nature, wildlife and public affairs television, earth sciences, gothic vaults and liturgy: Robert Fripp’s fiction and non-fiction share many slices of life. § Here, Fripp introduces his 38 “Wessex Tales” stories. Thomas Hardy used that title over a century ago. Fripp moves it forward with a new collection of “Wessex Tales” covering “Eight thousand years in the life of an English village.” § First come Stone Age hunters. Then villagers discover a new “stone,” bronze. Locals build Stonehenge. A Roman mosaic depicts Jesus. We advance: from Viking raiders to potions for maidens, a medieval wedding, civil war, smugglers, and the second battle of the Somme. § Smashwords releases several stories, here. Read them—free, for a time—choosing a format for your Kindle, Nook, iPad, Mac, PC, iPhone (via Stanza), Sony, Kobo and Androids. All 38 “Wessex Tales” stories will come alive in paperback within two years.

Book preview

~ WESSEX TALES ~

Eight thousand years in the life of an English village

‘The Face in the Floor’

‘The Face in the Floor’ is Story 10

of 38 Wessex Tales stories.

Its sequel is ‘Julia’ (Story 11)

Robert Fripp

Copyright 2013 Robert Fripp

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for reading my e-story. It will be free to read for several months. However, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, Robert Fripp, who reserves all rights. This e-story may not be reproduced, copied or distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoy it, please encourage your friends to download their copy from Smashwords.com, where they will find more of my stories.

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Cover

The central feature in the fourth century mosaic

discovered at Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, in 1963.

Copyright, The Trustees of the British Museum 1965.

Cover design:

The Design Unit: Wimborne, Dorset, U.K.

WESSEX TALES stories : ‘The Face in the Floor’

ISBN 978-0-9918575-1-7

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Author’s note

Books by Robert Fripp

Reach me online

A List of my Stories

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WESSEX TALES

‘The Face in the Floor’ (Story 10)

Chapter 1

Among the cherished objects in the British Museum, a mosaic floor portrays one of the earliest likenesses of Christ to be found in the British Isles. Indeed, it is the only likeness of Christ found in a mosaic floor laid during the days of the Roman Empire. Why such a treasure came to light under the grass of a Dorset meadow remains a mystery. Only one thing about this floor from Hinton St. Mary is certain. It was laid around 325 A.D., twelve years after Constantine became the first emperor to convert to Christianity. Such a magnificent floor demands a history. Why was it laid in a remote farming villa, miles from any important Roman town? Here is the tale our floor deserves…

"You must be awfully clever, Beletus."

All in the mind’s eye, Afrixa. The master mosaicist rocked back on his knees to look up at the housemaid’s dumpy frame. She stood over him for the umpteenth time, shameless adoration lighting every feature in her moon-like face.

"From now on