Swart-Haxa: Through an Orphan's Eyes

By John McSherry

The year is 800 ad, set deep in the Serbian landscape along the Danube River near the city of Singidunum (Belgrade). The Vetus Castrum Abby had taken custody of an orphanage for wayward girls under the guidance of Father Tiberius and Father Ezra. Deborah was the oldest of some 280 orphans, conscripted out to various farms, markets and limestone quarries in the area. Hard work represented Catholic penance for getting into heaven, where punishment cleansed the soul of evil. What we know of Europe 400 years after the fall of the Roman Empire, Charlemagne was fighting an uphill battle in putting Francia, Germania, Gaul and Mesopotamia back together again. Deborah and the other orphans had to endure agonizing feudalism, tyrannical aristocracy, foreign soldiers and unwanted pregnancies. In our time in school, we were taught that the era after Rome's demise represented the Dark Ages, where superstition, witches and carnivorous ogres ruled everyday Europe. Yet Deborah's tenacity taught her to overcome all adversity, because there is power in the spirit. Then Deborah found something that would change her life forever. I tried to make this as historically accurate as possible, with superstitious anxiety confronting everyday peasants. I found it disturbing that what Deborah had to contend with, we still have to content with in 2022.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
• Release date: Sep 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662932076

Book preview

Chapter One – Vetus Castrum Abbey

Vetus Castrum Abbey or the Old Fort Abbey was constructed in 658 ad, out of white limestone set aside for construction at Singidunum. Father Bogdanic was the Abbey’s first administrator, under strict orders to facilitate the region’s first orphanage for girls. Father Bogdanic became inundated with requests, as the Abbey was enlarged with two adjacent stone dormitories commissioned for construction. In total, the accommodations specified for 200 beds, with a kitchen, dining and meeting hall in the main chapel sanctuary. In 698, the Carolingian Treasury decided to enlarge Vetus Castrum, which was initially built as a Roman settlement and Gladiator arena in 315 ad. Several additional barracks and horse stables were commissioned, while keeping the Gladiator arena intact. Rome built Vetus Castrum because of Huns intrusion from the north. The Carolingians were also coming under assault from northern invaders from the open Iranian steppe. The orphanage’s vulnerability was a primary concern, as hundreds of girls passed through the orphanage’s gates, only to have families of their own.

Singidunum (Belgrade) had existed since the Stone Age, but it was the Celts who named it Singidun. Singidunum was later conquered by the Romans, but now in the hands of the Carolingian empire. Belgrade lay in the lowlands of northern Serbia, with the mountainous terrain to the south. This was agricultural land, and fought over for thousands of years.

This story is about a very special orphan named Ellga, who became pregnant at the age of 17. Father Bogdanic had passed away, with Father Titus taking his place. The date was 784 ad.

Father Titus recognized the orphanage’s importance, and encouraged Ellga to stay until the baby arrived. The orphanage was at full capacity, with the youngest infant only days old. Father Titus and the older orphans usually canvassed Vetus Castrum for children left along the muddy wagon roads, or baskets placed on the Abbey’s front steps. Ellga was the oldest of the orphans, knowing that at the age of 18, she would have to leave.

Thunder and lightning ravaged the countryside, as rain drained into the Danube’s swollen river. It was late June, as old wooden ox carts passed by the Abbey’s lantern posts, on their way to the military encampment. Military guards would routinely patrol this road down from Singidunum, only to drop off food and provisions to Father Titus. This was the night that Ellga gave birth to a small fragile baby girl, she named Deborah.

Ellga realized she would have to move on, since Father Titus graciously permitted her to stay. Being pregnant wasn’t a favorable reflection on Ellga’s character, but rules were rules. Ellga met up with several other orphans who had families of their own, with rooms to rent. The local economy was primarily agriculture, but the military outpost wanted to start up a wool textile operation, if only to provide new uniforms, horse blankets and grain sacks. The local herdsmen in the area were already asking for a wool processing facility, with sheep, llamas and yaks ready to be sheared. The orphans were diligently trained in sewing skills, knowing the economic opportunity would improve their chance at survival. Soldiers from the military settlement redesigned the old roman baths as pools for washing wool, which was a huge improvement since the wool was ordinarily washed in the Danube. Ellga discovered the news from a friend, plus she was already an accomplished seamstress.

Standing at the Abbey’s double doors, the solid oak door frames stood guard over all the orphans who passed through its gates. Father Titus ignited the oil lamp lanterns, with an orangey glow illuminating the darkness. It was time for her to go. Ellga placed her hands along the door’s black metal hinges, ready to hand Deborah to awaiting hands. Three young teen orphans volunteered to take Deborah in, as Ellga watched her daughter being swept away in caring arms. Father Titus knew what must be done, as Ellga turned toward the muddy road, 100 feet from the Abbey’s front steps.

Ellga found a room for rent at a friend’s house, as women from all over attended their first day at processing wool. Farmers and herdsmen did all the shearing, as butchers began weeding out the older animals, with contracts for skins and meat going to the military settlement. Animal stalls were hastily set up, as sheep began filtering in from the northern pastures and the southern high country. The yaks and llamas had already been sheared, with bails of dirty wool placed in watery soaking pools. All matters of bugs, ticks, lice and filth began floating to the top, as the women began their first day of hard labor.

The idea of clean was ordinarily associated with bails of wool, as women discovered the value of stomping through the watery cisterns filled with filthy clumps of fabric. The concept of clean was relative, but the women enjoyed jumping on the bails of oily wool, where the idea of clean water was more of a novelty.

The women set up several processing stations, as the wool was cleaned, the matted sections separated into manageable fibers and finally woven onto wooden pegs.

The concept of soap was little more than lye, where animal fat was boiled down into fatty oils, and then prepared as lye-soap or fuel for oil lamps. Even today, its recommended that wool products not be washed in lye, but in 698 ad, lye was all they had.

Of all the different washing and wool processing stations, Ellga liked spinning wool fibers into delicate threads of blue, yellow and red. The local weeds and fruits provided the colored dye, besides the ordinary off white color. The military settlement commissioned the local wood-wrights and craftsmen to build ten looms, each with a fabric width of 72 inches. The concept of 72 inches wasn’t based on height, because most men were barely 5’ 2". A horse’s saddle or a fashionable tunic needed yards of fabric, but for some reason, 72 inches was the desired loom length. A loom of this size was very expensive, but 10 as a requisition was unheard of. Still, the craftsmen went to work.

The orphanage still retained the only loom available, which Ellga was an expert at. She got right to work, teaching the other girls how to connect the wool strands through the intricate matrix of pegs and slots. It was a long process, but Ellga needed girls with patience.

The soldiers constructed a large stone building, built to accommodate the looms once they arrived. With the roof thatched in, the first completed loom was carried into position, all polished and ready for action. Ellga got right to work, as the older women watched Ellga’s hands made it look easy.

It took two more years before the ten looms were in full production. Almost like clockwork, the herdsmen came down from the meadows and highlands with sheep, yaks and llamas ready for shearing. The butcher separated the older animals as pelts, meats and internal organs were prepared for processing.

The local economy became the Carolingians pride and joy, as caravans of traders loaded up whatever they could carry. The military settlement oversaw the monetary exchange rate, because most coins were Roman in origin. Currency from Asia, the Middle East and Northern Europe made it difficult to estimate value, since most coins were crude and unrecognizable. The concept of Barter became the preferred method of currency, as metal utensils, pots, pig iron and iron ingots went to the local blacksmith, stationed at the military settlement.

Little Deborah was growing like a weed, but Ellga felt it necessary that she remain an orphan, only to create a bond with the other girls. It was tough going, but Ellga understood the value in a tough lifestyle.

The old gladiator arena became the settlement’s horse stable. Weekend celebrations became huge public events with horse parades, food, textile vendors and shepherds coming down from the highlands. The prospect of finding matrimony wasn’t Ellga’s idea of a good time, nor did she expect a suitor to miraculously show up. The military men in fine uniforms and fancy hats were mostly eye candy to the unwed women, but these weekend celebrations were always places to look for second best.

The Carolingian contingency held their commemoration for king Pippin III in 768, where his oldest son, Charlemagne would take the reins as king of the Franks that same year.

Summer rains and thunderstorms became the seasonal oddity, as Ellga remembered the thunderstorm before Deborah’s birth. She dismissed the coincidence, but naming the child Deborah was Father Titus’ idea.

Activity between Singidunum (Belgrade) and Drobeta Turnu Severin grew in influence, as the Old Fort and military settlement prospered in economic abundance. Ellga remained unmarried, committed to Deborah’s health and wellbeing. Ellga didn’t care who Deborah’s father was, because an unwanted pregnancy is often clouded in denial and resentment. Still, the wool textile business was booming, with the military settlement handling the logistics.

War and military recruitment had always created stress, but the settlement was careful not to infringe on the local population, knowing the Carolingians were almost at full muster. Three times a year, the settlement opened the gladiator arena to any men or women who wanted to fight. Women were already being recruited as warriors, woman warriors who had an axe to grind. Women from all over, from Gaul, Germania, Palestine, Parthians and reformed Huns knew of the value of military comradery. This menagerie of vicious Valkyrie warriors were much more than a novelty, because most fought on the front lines along the Pyrenees Mountains, the rugged back country of Serbia, Croatia, and the open steppe of Ukraine. The Romans were expert horsemen, but the Parthians and Cimmerians were ruthless Hun warriors that devastated entire Roman legions. Times were a changing, as Islam began encroaching into the more civilized regions of the Holy Catholic provinces.

Father Tiberius and Father Ezra replaced Father Titus, who had pressing business in Aachen and Tournai, the Capital of the Germanic region and Frankish region respectively.

The date was 801, as it was Deborah’s 17th birthday. Ellga and Deborah became great friends, not letting Deborah in on the deeply held secret. The textile business continued to prosper, as the orphans had already prepared their large garden for planting.

Deborah gazed over the soggy raked garden, freshly planted with cabbage, radishes, turnips and gourds. Her rake was a simple stick, with a cross piece fitted with dowel pins. The handle was worn smooth from years of service, as the orphans congregated with new seeds in hand. The crops of choice were cabbage, turnips, and wild corn. The winter snows had melted away, as spring opened the doors to outside activity. The upland meadows were in full bloom, as sheep, llamas and yaks grazed on green open pastures.

Deborah had survived three fevers and countless injuries. She became pregnant twice, and twice miscarried. Ellga knew about the pregnancies, but didn’t interfere knowing the lessons she might learn later on. Deborah’s long blonde hair and fair complexion wasn’t what you might suspect from an orphan, but her soul ached for something much more tangible.

She knew every inch of the Old Fort Abby, and the year was 801 ad. Singidunum (Belgrade) finally opened its doors to another orphanage, but Father Tiberius wasn’t concerned with the competition. Singidunum was largely a Roman ruin, left derelict from the traumatic demise of Rome’s lasting betrayal. Comparing Vetus Castrum and the military settlement to Singidunum represented 400 years of modernization, while disregarding the hardships of the past. Still, the Carolingian Empire represented a tangible effort to modernize a destitute Europe from the grips of Rome’s catastrophic breach of trust. The threat of disease was a daily occurrence, as filth continued to accumulate around Singidunum’s impoverished population. Vetus Castrum and the military settlement understood the value of clean water, sanitary facilities, and cooked food. The orphanage constructed another building, which brought their bed count to 300. Still, the feral conditions were far from ideal, but were a huge improvement from only thirty years before.

Following Rome’s demise in 475, groups of disenfranchised Balkan soldiers returned to Serbia, taking advantage of the unstable power vacuum. They hoped to reestablish old ethnic ties along ancient territorial boundaries, upending Rome’s tyrannical reign. War between hostile factions continued to divide the Balkans, until Charles Martel established a Germanic resistance against the growing barbarism to the north and east. It wasn’t until Charles Martel’s son who promoted the Carolingians as military protectors from Constantinople to the Atlantic Ocean. Constantinople or the Eastern Roman Empire did its best to defend the area known as Serbia, but they had its own problems.

Deborah’s world was consumed by war, soldiers, pregnancies and fighting as powerful Valkyries. Deborah wasn’t anything like her mother, maybe it was the thunderstorms that infected her soul. Father Tiberius and Father Ezra took their morning head count before breakfast. Deborah, Adali, Arleigh and Eloise were the oldest orphans in command of 287 younglings, ranging from 15 years to two months. Three modest 50 foot by 30 foot stone and thatch dormitories sat adjacent to the main Abbey church proper.

It was Father Ezra’s job coordinating a work release program, by distributing free labor to the local businesses. Deborah, Adali and Arleigh were accomplished stone masons, but work was slow and horribly agonizing. The orphans were generally helpful, but with all the men around, it became a dangerous distraction. Deborah was determined to have the orphans build two new structures, without the men assisting.

Springtime meant flood waters, as the Danube frequently swelled beyond its muddy banks. Surrounding the Abby was a thick six-foot-high flood wall as protection against the winter thaw. The orphan’s many assignments were keeping the flood wall in proper order, prior to the spring planting.

Adali lost her first child to fever this past November, impregnated by a soldier who happened to strike her fancy. Adali’s delusional euphoria quickly turned sour, but with the baby’s death, her ability to cope bordered on suicide. Stone work helped her fight away the anguish, but her soul was forever attached to the Old Fort Abby. Arleigh and the other orphans were transients, brought here by Father Tiberius.

Arleigh’s job was organizing burial details, and since the last fever, seven freshly dug graves were carefully covered over. Most of the surviving orphans were wrapped in warm blankets, where fragile infants and toddlers were constantly exposed to cooking smoke and the cold damp air. The old fort’s walls dripped with condensation, as cold drafts penetrated through the decaying thatched roof.

Mesopotamian wars took most of the men north, as the military settlement was reduced to a few soldiers. Most of the butchers moved north, since the contracts for meat gradually fell off. Deborah, Adali and Arleigh enjoyed going on hunting expeditions, bringing back deer, turkey and rabbit. Orphan Gertie (15) volunteered to be butcher. The wool processing business continued to operate, but without valuable contracts, business began to subside.

Gertie (15), Kikka (11), Roslyn (11) and Tilly’s (10) job was collecting wood, sometimes hours on end. With most of the snow gone, daily chores became less of a burden. Eloise (16) had a clubbed foot, and confined to a simple stool. Wilma (9) took care of the little ones, changing the babies’ under-garments. Father Ezra tried his best to have clothing on hand, but with the widespread poverty, clothing came at a premium. Ellga watched as the once prosperous wool business fell on bad times. The looms and spinning wheels stood idle, as many of the women employees were forced to leave.

Deborah, Adali and Arleigh were inseparable, all relegated to the hardships of stonework. Deborah understood her situation in life, but that didn’t mean she had to accept it. Deborah’s love of stone offered her a positive outlook, plus stone represented permanence, which Deborah desperately wanted.

Father Ezra was a Jewish priest from lower Palestine, wanting a challenge in Eastern Europe. Ezra’s compassion for the girl’s welfare was admirable, but he never found solace in how they endured alongside unimaginable horrors. Father Tiberias was just the opposite; stern, strict and mostly unresponsive to the orphan’s problems.

The old Roman road went from Singidunum to Drobeta Turnu Severin, with a bridge across the Danube at Droberta. The girl’s spring and summer jobs were devoted to planting wheat along the river’s plantations and farms. Deborah and her orphan sisters were looking forward to spring activities, as collecting wood began to fall off. This was a time of renewed growth, as the river valley became alive with happy faces.

Every evening at supper, Father Ezra taught the girls this simple message, Dei Praesidio (God Protects). Father Tiberius demanded that the children remain illiterate, but Father Ezra tried his best to instill faith where literacy was only words on a page. Religion and Catholicism represented a political and subjugated effort to convert neighboring barbarians, without encouraging the true nature of Jesus Christ. Europe and Mesopotamia were still entrenched in the old Roman pagan beliefs, which drove the suspicions of war. Charlemagne and the Carolingians argued for Europe’s consolidation, meant to encourage and incorporate disenfranchised ethnic groups into a more meaningful coalition. The Eastern Roman Empire at Constantinople sought to create a more evangelic revival. Little did anyone know, Islam was determined to wipe Christianity from the face of the Earth.

Deborah wasn’t interested in politics, nor why pestilence was forgiveness through suffering. The emotional trauma of daily demands was too much for her, as Father Ezra helped with welcomed donations. The old Roman currency held little value, as coins were as unpredictable as the next war.

Early one morning in April, Deborah woke to crying babies wanting to be fed. Wilma had already returned from the pasture with three pails of milk. Tilly was by the river washing clothes and Roslyn was doing what she could to help out. Father Ezra purchased two large buckets of mead mash from the local brewery, as porridge for the day’s breakfast meal. Deborah understood why she was there, and the daily chores which had to be done. Still, her persistent hunt for permanence tugged at her heart. She was nearly 18 years old, and she needed a plan.

Deborah walked outside, seeing the orphans working in the garden. She shouted out, Breakfast, Father Ezra has breakfast ready!

Adali brought clean plates from the pantry, as Arleigh served fresh wine from the barrels kept in storage.

Father Ezra asked, Deborah, can I help with today’s chores?

Adali, Tell Father Tiberius to keep those foreign soldiers away!

Deborah, The wheat’s been planted, and I have stone to cut and stack in place. We need thatch to fix the roof. Food isn’t an issue with all the milk and cheese from the lactating oxen. Father Tiberius means well, but the soldiers are a nuisance. Eloise said, Two of the youngest infants are with fever, and right now, that’s our primary concern.

Eloise sat in the corner, tending to the sickly infants covered in red and yellow spots. Eloise shouted, Their burning up, the babies won’t survive much longer if the fever persists; I fear we might lose them.

About that time, Father Tiberius rushed through the open door, the Carolingian commander warned me that barbarians are coming off the northern flats, headed this way.

Father Ezra, Remember what we say every night, Dei Praesidio. The Lord Jesus Christ will provide, and protect all the little children under His care. Won’t we Father Tiberius?

Father Tiberius scoffed off the comment, strolling to the wine barrel while grabbing his large wooden stein.

Adali, Arleigh and I found some long wooden sticks, practicing up on our swordplay. I would love to take a sword and ram it up the soldier’s crotch.

Deborah started laughing, as Father Ezra said, Live by the sword, you die by the sword.

Father Tiberius chimed in, Let me teach you some moves. Swords are my specialty. With that, Adali, Arleigh and Father Tiberius exited the Abby for some spirited weapons training.

Deborah said, Stone is stone, yet blacksmiths work the stone to make metal. Stone is pure, but its a man’s heart that destroys the stone.

Father Ezra said, In Exodus, Moses’ people were thirsty for water, and God said they could drink from the stones. Moses wasn’t appreciative of God’s mercy, when Moses cursed the people. God was not happy. God made the stones of the earth become water, but if we abuse God’s gifts, we are the ones who pay the price. Jesus Christ will protect us.

Tilly came in saying, I can use some help putting the clean clothes out to dry. The clothes smell of spring floods, perfect in keeping the men away. Deborah sighed at Tilly’s strong resentment, since Deborah miscarried only a few months ago. Tilly was only 10 years old.

Father Ezra said, I know of five farms who sheared their yaks last week. We should have fresh wool in a couple weeks and new blankets for this winter. God will protect us. Tomorrow, Father Tiberius will be traveling to Singidunum to pick up new orphans. The magistrate in Droberta has five orphans due to arrive by Carolingian patrol. Despite the situation, we must be on our best behavior.

Deborah’s hands were already raw from yesterday’s stone work. Today was a day of heavy lifting and setting the stones in place. Her first construction project was a twenty foot by fifty foot annex, with stone walls five feet high. She had logs wedged up against the walls as elevated platforms and buttress supports. Deborah figured she needed help setting the wooden ceiling joists in place. After that, the timber frame roof needed finishing, with the thatching work done last.

Father Tiberius came in saying, I’m off to Singidunum; the girls are quite good at defending themselves. I know of a staff maker in Singidunum who might offer weapons for a charitable exchange.

Adali said, Yeah, and I'll beat his head in!

Deborah said, Our oldest male orphan is five. Plus we have two male babies.

Father Tiberius, You know the rules; all boys must be inducted into the army at age eight. The boy has three more years.

Gertie said, I’ll go and see if the wool needs cleaning. They should start spinning either today or tomorrow. I like to spin thread. With that, Gertie exited the front door and began skipping down the old muddy Roman road.

Father Tiberius exited the open door, with his carriage and horse ready for the journey to Singidunum. Father Ezra sat back saying, How is Eloise doing today?

Eloise said, Sick babies with the fever. I don’t suppose you have a remedy for that?

Arleigh said, I should start preparing the graves. Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust.

Father Ezra understood the orphan’s dismal existence, where life and death had little meaning. Disease was the devil’s work, yet for some reason, some kids survived and some didn’t. All were in Jesus’ care, and ask not why.

From the Old Fort Abby, it was a good two-day trip to Singidunum by horse carriage. The problem was that most horses were confiscated for military duty. The oxen were also military property. It was equally longer to Drobeta Turnu Severin. Deborah welcomed new orphans every spring and summer, breaking the monotony of seeing the same old faces.

About 3:00 that afternoon, three Greek Orthodox priests were seen walking toward the orphanage. Deborah watched from the open door, then shouted, Can I help you.

The taller of the three said, we’ve come to administer to the barbarians, can you point us in the correct direction?

Deborah asked, Why?

The other priest said, Barbarians are God’s children too, and deserve forgiveness.

Adali overheard the conversation saying, For what its worth, there’s a road headed north beyond the flats. Beyond that is a wild wilderness, at least that’s what the people say. You’ll find the barbarians there.

The other priest said, So this is an orphanage. Are you serving tonight?

Deborah, No, we’re not serving tonight. I appreciate you’re men of God, but please, go tend to the Barbarians. Maybe their women might be more helpful.

The tallest priest asked, "I’m tasked to deprive them of their weapons and swords. The local blacksmith will pay one silver coin to melt down each sword; changing the iron over to horse shoes.

Would any of you want an extra sword for a charitable exchange?

Deborah shouted, No Adali! Remember last time. It’s not worth it!

Adali said, You steal two swords, and we’ll fight you for it. Your swords against our sticks, Deal?

The three priests looked at each other saying, Deal! And off they went toward the northern cobblestone road.

Deborah, Adali? This isn’t a game. Even though they’re priests, God isn’t about temptation. I’m sure they’ll be killed anyway, so I guess it doesn’t matter.

Kikka brought three buckets of milk from the spring meadows for the baby’s evening dinner. Eloise usually prepared the milk into cheese, adding to the nutritional value.

Deborah was finishing up her final run of rocks, making notches for the wooden joists to be added later. Deborah’s hands were already bleeding, knowing she was making amends for past sins. The orphans understood that pain was God’s forgiveness, as earned payment to get into heaven. Father Ezra tried his best to preach that God loved them, despite their faults.

Evening came and went, as the morning sun edged up along the Balkan’s highlands to the east. Father Tiberius wasn’t due for another five to six days. Eloise stayed up all night tending to the two babies, still hanging on to life. Their blistered skin was covered in red and black spots, as she tried to make them comfortable.

Gertie collected firewood for the morning fire, as one of the farmers brought by three squirrels and a pot of potato stew.

Deborah, Farmer Klein; thanks for the food, we really appreciate your kindness. How are your daughters?

Farmer Klein, "We’re fine. Father Tiberius said he would be out of town. I paid him to buy a new rake, some new seeds and two hogs. I don’t know