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Sad Monk, Happy Monk

The abbey gate and precinct to Boxley Abbey, near Maidstone, Kent

 I am Richard and once was a monk of the Cistercian order at Boxley Abbey, north of Maidstone, Kent. It is now the Year of Our Lord 1389, and I am far from that life of poverty, contemplation, and silence that I lived for most of my years. Boxley was my home from near infancy until I had passed 35 years when I was ejected by an abbot who wanted rid of me. If I had imagined ever leaving Boxley before that day, I would have thought my life would end in a trice, that my skin would be mauled to ribbons by the claws of the devil. Yay, I must be blessed, for I have lived through times of terrible consequence and now wear a mantle of wealth far beyond the riches of Boxley Abbey itself.

Opening lines to The Song of Oswald

Thus begins “The Song of Oswald,” a novel I wrote four years ago and which remains unpublished. It’s a medieval adventure story about Richard, a monk who has been ejected from his abbey, and his brother. They undertake a risky mission from Boxley Abbey to France to steal the sacred remains of a long-dead English saint and return them to England. The corrupt abbot wants the relics to attract visits and financial inducements from pilgrims.

Oswald, Richard’s brother, is a sort of Robin Hood character, who is hired by the Boxley abbot to carry out this assignment. He’s a dangerous outlaw but has a benevolent reputation among the common folk: a hero and a villain.

A medieval adventure yarn

Richard, Oswald, and a young woman named Claire cross the English Channel in a medieval hulk 1, walk through war-ravaged northern France and encounter a fortified monastery where the sacred relics lie. They are the target of arrows, bullied by a vicious English knight who competes for the remains and the riches in the abbey. They flee the monastery, which is set ablaze by the English army. They never find the sacred remains of the English saint.

Writing The Song of Oswald was a culmination of a long-term fascination of mine with monks and monasteries. It was also the inspiration for the name of The Happy Monk Baking Company.

The monastic tradition was a grand experiment in building a utopian community. Simple at first: the rejection of all material concerns, removal from the secular world, and the devotion of one’s life to the sacred. Life was ruled by a daily/hourly ritual of prayer and simple works. The European movement thrived for hundreds of years, brought about innovations in farming, architecture and was the engine of unparalleled economic expansion and wealth.

A failed experiment in religious community

And in that, the utopian experiment faltered. How could the vast riches of the monasteries co-exist with the severe religious devotions of the monks, which was governed by a strict Holy Rule? Abbeys became corrupt money-lenders, owners of vast tracts of land, brothel keepers, and their priests preyed on the fears of people who sought divine protection from evil.

Power and enrichment gradually overtook the monasteries’ business and the common folk came to despise them. Finally, in the early 1500s, Henry VIII dissolved most of the 900 English religious houses and ended a way of life for 12,000 monks, canons, friars, and nuns. And with that, dissolved a way of life that had much to speak of: a protected, quiet way of life, spiritual devotion, good works in the communities, simple farming and the preservation of vast works of literature and religious writings.

Boxley Abbey was a real monastery, one of many destroyed by Henry VIII and his cold-blooded lieutenant, Thomas Cromwell. It wasn’t as grand as the one I created in the novel, which is based on the magnificent Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.

The author contemplates life at Boxley Abbey in 1381. Note the lonely mare at left who came for apples.

Jennifer and I visited Boxley in 2015. All that remains are some crumbling stone walls, a hayfield, and an old barn. An old mare crossed the field to the fence when we stopped at the gate. We fed it apples from a nearby tree. I asked the horse if she knew any monks. “More apples, please,” she said.

Boxley and the chalk hills of Kent

The Boxley grounds lie at the foot of the chalk hills of the north Kent countryside. The Pilgrim’s Road, used by pilgrims who traveled from London to Canterbury (including Chaucer’s pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales), passes by not far from the site.

Richard, the main character of The Song of Oswald, loves his abbey and the monk’s life but is beset upon by the corrupt abbot, who wants to bring more riches into the abbey’s coffers. Richard mourns the loss of the monastic tradition, confronts the horrors of the King’s war against France, and is shaken by plague and death.

And yet Richard still lands on his feet. He inherits the vast wealth of his deceased parents, who died mysteriously when he was still a child. It’s not enough, though, to make Richard whole. He still pines for his simple monk’s life.

And, of course, he misses the love of the young woman, Claire, who accompanies the two brothers to France.

Claire, as it happens, becomes a bread baker by the end of the story. She uses a cob oven outside her aunt’s house in Maidstone. She sells her wares in the town’s market square and is working towards membership in the baker’s guild.

Claire loves Richard, but things don’t work out. 

A sad monk becomes a Happy Monk

Poor Richard! He’s a bit of a sad sack, but I love him dearly. There’s more than a little of me in him. I wish him free of material concerns, to live a simpler life and not encumbered by the burdens of wealth and privilege. I want him to be free.

Thus, we named the company The Happy Monk Baking Company in honour of Richard and in the hope that he can live his life in pure devotion to nature, wholesome food, the good earth, cold water swimming, and the love of a good woman.


The Song of Oswald is still alive! It is far from being relegated to the bottom desk drawer. I have a strong desire to see it published and gracing the front window of the Talisman Bookstore here on Pender Island and many others! I’m making revisions when I have time from baking so that a literary agent can represent it to publishers. To learn more about The Song of Oswald, click here.


Happy Monk Tidings - May 31, 2023 🍞 - BAKER'S CHOICE: Fig and Fennel Sourdough; BLOG: The Saving Grace of Siegel's Bagels [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - May 31, 2023 🍞 - BAKER`S CHOICE: Fig and Fennel Sourdough; BLOG: The Saving Grace of Siegel`s Bagels [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

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HAPPY MONK BLOG: An Approachable Manifesto: A loaf designed for the grocery shelf, but with honest-to-goodness artisan credentials. (May 24, 2023) [ See LinkTree in Proifile ]

HAPPY MONK BLOG: An Approachable Manifesto: A loaf designed for the grocery shelf, but with honest-to-goodness artisan credentials. (May 24, 2023) [ See LinkTree in Proifile ] ...

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Morning coffee ritual, Saturday morning. Drinking Moving Coffee, eating Happy Monk Sprouted Einkorn Sourdough bread, and spending a lot of time setting up this photo. Thanks for the coffee tip, @jomosenpai, it’s really good!
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#coffeelover #coffee #pourovercoffee #pourover #coffeetime #coffeelover  #coffeecoffeecoffee #ceramiccoffeecup #ceramiccoffeemug #coffeeaddict #einkornsourdough #einkornbread #einkornsourdoughbread #einkornbaking

Morning coffee ritual, Saturday morning. Drinking Moving Coffee, eating Happy Monk Sprouted Einkorn Sourdough bread, and spending a lot of time setting up this photo. Thanks for the coffee tip, @jomosenpai, it’s really good!
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#coffeelover #coffee #pourovercoffee #pourover #coffeetime #coffeelover #coffeecoffeecoffee #ceramiccoffeecup #ceramiccoffeemug #coffeeaddict #einkornsourdough #einkornbread #einkornsourdoughbread #einkornbaking
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It’s been a long time since I baked with Einkorn flour, the most ancient of the ancient grains. It’s called “Farro Piccolo” in Italian, or ‘little farro’. A later variety of Einkorn is called “Farro Grande” (large farro)… otherwise known as Spelt. (Einkorn left, Spelt right) Here endeth the lesson. 
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#einkorn #einkorngrain #einkornbread #einkornbaking #tasteofeinkorn #spelt #speltgrain #speltflour #ancientgrain #ancientgrains #ancientgrainbaking #ancientgrainflours

It’s been a long time since I baked with Einkorn flour, the most ancient of the ancient grains. It’s called “Farro Piccolo” in Italian, or ‘little farro’. A later variety of Einkorn is called “Farro Grande” (large farro)… otherwise known as Spelt. (Einkorn left, Spelt right) Here endeth the lesson.

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#einkorn #einkorngrain #einkornbread #einkornbaking #tasteofeinkorn #spelt #speltgrain #speltflour #ancientgrain #ancientgrains #ancientgrainbaking #ancientgrainflours
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Happy Monk Tidings - April 26, 2023 🍞: Baker's Choice: Polenta-Rosemary Sourdough; Blog: A Baker's Summit in the Loire Valley - [See LinkTree in Bio ]

Happy Monk Tidings - April 26, 2023 🍞: Baker`s Choice: Polenta-Rosemary Sourdough; Blog: A Baker`s Summit in the Loire Valley - [See LinkTree in Bio ] ...

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Latest Happy Monk Blog: Bread from the ashes of Pompeii - April 19, 2023 🍞 [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Latest Happy Monk Blog: Bread from the ashes of Pompeii - April 19, 2023 🍞 [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

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Happy Monk Tidings - April 5, 2023 🍞 - BAKER'S CHOICE: Hot Cross Buns; BLOG: Falling in Love With Bread; ANNOUNCEMENT: Next Week Bread Day is on Wednesday, April 12; ALSO: Come see the Happy Monk Bread Oven this coming Sunday, April 9; [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - April 5, 2023 🍞 - BAKER`S CHOICE: Hot Cross Buns; BLOG: Falling in Love With Bread; ANNOUNCEMENT: Next Week Bread Day is on Wednesday, April 12; ALSO: Come see the Happy Monk Bread Oven this coming Sunday, April 9; [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

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Happy Monk Tidings - March 29, 2023 🍞 - BAKERS CHOICE: Whole Spelt and Maple Pan Loaf; BLOG: Spring: Two Ways of Seeing - [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - March 29, 2023 🍞 - BAKERS CHOICE: Whole Spelt and Maple Pan Loaf; BLOG: Spring: Two Ways of Seeing - [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

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Happy Monk Tidings - March 22, 2023 🍞 - BAKER'S CHOICE: Birdseed Bread; BLOG: Couldn't We Enjoy Winter a Little Longer? EXTRA: "Haulout" A film about walruses on brink. [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - March 22, 2023 🍞 - BAKER`S CHOICE: Birdseed Bread; BLOG: Couldn`t We Enjoy Winter a Little Longer? EXTRA: "Haulout" A film about walruses on brink. [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

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Happy Monk Tidings - March 15, 2023 🍞 - Greetings! This week's BAKER'S CHOICE: Anadama Bread; BLOG: The Enduring Promise of Bread Machines ~ [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - March 15, 2023 🍞 - Greetings! This week`s BAKER`S CHOICE: Anadama Bread; BLOG: The Enduring Promise of Bread Machines ~ [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

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Happy Monk Tidings - March 8, 2023 🍞 - BLOG: The Scent of Wood; BAKER'S CHOICE: Honey and Oat Porridge - [See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - March 8, 2023 🍞 - BLOG: The Scent of Wood; BAKER`S CHOICE: Honey and Oat Porridge - [See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

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Happy Monk Tidings - February 22, 2023 🍞 - BAKER'S CHOICE: Sprouted Rye and Seed Bread; BLOG: The Shipping Forecast on BBC 4; SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: No bread next week! https://mailchi.mp/4ea4d30316bb/happy_monk_tidings_feb22_2023

Happy Monk Tidings - February 22, 2023 🍞 - BAKER`S CHOICE: Sprouted Rye and Seed Bread; BLOG: The Shipping Forecast on BBC 4; SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: No bread next week! https://mailchi.mp/4ea4d30316bb/happy_monk_tidings_feb22_2023 ...

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Happy Monk Tidings - February 15, 2023 🍞 - BAKER'S CHOICE: Cinnamon-Raisin Sourdough; BLOG: The Magic of the Grouse; VIDEO: How Bread Was Made in 1962; FINAL REMINDER: New Delivery Times/Prices - [Campaign URL]

Happy Monk Tidings - February 15, 2023 🍞 - BAKER`S CHOICE: Cinnamon-Raisin Sourdough; BLOG: The Magic of the Grouse; VIDEO: How Bread Was Made in 1962; FINAL REMINDER: New Delivery Times/Prices - [Campaign URL] ...

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Luminous bannetons.
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#woodfired #woodfiredoven  #woodfiredbaking #woodfiredbakery #woodfiredbread #earthoven #earthenoven #bannetons #banneton

Luminous bannetons.
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#woodfired #woodfiredoven #woodfiredbaking #woodfiredbakery #woodfiredbread #earthoven #earthenoven #bannetons #banneton
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Sesame Sourdough bowling alley. 
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#woodfired #woodfiredoven #coboven #Mildrith #Mildriththeoven #woodfiredovenbread #sourdough #sourdoughbread #bread #realbread #sesamesourdough #sesame #naturallyleavened #baker #bakery #bbga #artisanbread #breadhead #sourdough #sourdoughbread #penderisland #southpenderislands #southerngulfislandsbakers #southerngulfislandsbakeries #happymonkbaking #happymonkbakery #happymonkbakingcompany

Sesame Sourdough bowling alley.
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#woodfired #woodfiredoven #coboven #Mildrith #Mildriththeoven #woodfiredovenbread #sourdough #sourdoughbread #bread #realbread #sesamesourdough #sesame #naturallyleavened #baker #bakery #bbga #artisanbread #breadhead #sourdough #sourdoughbread #penderisland #southpenderislands #southerngulfislandsbakers #southerngulfislandsbakeries #happymonkbaking #happymonkbakery #happymonkbakingcompany
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Happy Monk Tidings - February 8, 2023 🍞 - Baker's Special: Spelt-Honey Sourdough; Happy Monk Blog: Into the Murk; REMINDER: New delivery hours and prices; [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - February 8, 2023 🍞 - Baker`s Special: Spelt-Honey Sourdough; Happy Monk Blog: Into the Murk; REMINDER: New delivery hours and prices; [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

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Happy Monk Tidings - February 3, 2023 🍞 - HAPPY MONK BLOG: Save Something From The Time Where We Will Never Be Again; BAKER'S CHOICE: Sesame Sourdough; NOTE: New Delivery Times and New Prices [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - February 3, 2023 🍞 - HAPPY MONK BLOG: Save Something From The Time Where We Will Never Be Again; BAKER`S CHOICE: Sesame Sourdough; NOTE: New Delivery Times and New Prices [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

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Happy Monk Tidings - December 14, 2022 🍞 - Baker's Choice: Fruit Sourdough Pan Loaf; Happy Monk Blog: The Year in Bread ... and Gratitude! [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - December 14, 2022 🍞 - Baker`s Choice: Fruit Sourdough Pan Loaf; Happy Monk Blog: The Year in Bread ... and Gratitude! [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

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Happy Monk Tidings - December 7, 2022 🍞 - Baker's Choices: Fig and Fennel and Rye-Currants; BLOG: The Noble French Baguette; Last Bake next week! [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - December 7, 2022 🍞 - Baker`s Choices: Fig and Fennel and Rye-Currants; BLOG: The Noble French Baguette; Last Bake next week! [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

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Happy Monk Tidings - November 30, 2022 🍞 - Bakers Choice: Cranberry-Pecan Sourdough; BLOG: Tassajara Wisdom/Perfect Loaf Mastery; REMINDER: Happy Monk holidays fast approaching! [ See LinkTree in Profile ]
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#theperfectloaf #perfectloaf #perfectloaf #maurizioleo #tassajarabreadbook #tassajarabread #tassajaracookbook

Happy Monk Tidings - November 30, 2022 🍞 - Bakers Choice: Cranberry-Pecan Sourdough; BLOG: Tassajara Wisdom/Perfect Loaf Mastery; REMINDER: Happy Monk holidays fast approaching! [ See LinkTree in Profile ]
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#theperfectloaf #perfectloaf #perfectloaf #maurizioleo #tassajarabreadbook #tassajarabread #tassajaracookbook
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Happy Monk Tidings - November 16, 2022 🍞 - BAKER'S CHOICE: Spelt & Toasted Buckwheat Sourdough; BLOG: Mysticism and Bob Dylan; Extra: Happy Monk Search [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - November 16, 2022 🍞 - BAKER`S CHOICE: Spelt & Toasted Buckwheat Sourdough; BLOG: Mysticism and Bob Dylan; Extra: Happy Monk Search [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

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Just rockin’ the Olive Sourdough at 4:30 a.m. in the morning. Into Mildrith’s fire they go!
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#woodfired #woodfiredoven #woodfiredovenbread #bread #realbread #naturallyleavened #baker #bakery #bakerslife #bbga #artisanbread #breadhead #breadmaking #breadmaking🍞 #sourdough #sourdoughbread #coboven #earthoven #earthenoven #olives #olivebread #olivesourdoughbread #penderisland #southpenderisland #happymonkbaking #happymonkbakery #happymonkbakingcompany #southerngulfislands #southerngulfislandsbakers #southerngulfislandsbakeries #penderisland

Just rockin’ the Olive Sourdough at 4:30 a.m. in the morning. Into Mildrith’s fire they go!
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#woodfired #woodfiredoven #woodfiredovenbread #bread #realbread #naturallyleavened #baker #bakery #bakerslife #bbga #artisanbread #breadhead #breadmaking #breadmaking🍞 #sourdough #sourdoughbread #coboven #earthoven #earthenoven #olives #olivebread #olivesourdoughbread #penderisland #southpenderisland #happymonkbaking #happymonkbakery #happymonkbakingcompany #southerngulfislands #southerngulfislandsbakers #southerngulfislandsbakeries #penderisland
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  1. A two-masted sailing ship first used by merchants plying England and the European coast

2 thoughts on “Sad Monk, Happy Monk

  1. Dear BloggyBreadeaters: I may be accused of bias, as I am related to the author, but I promise you this unpublished novel is as tasty as one of David’s yeasty creations. Petitions should be distributed to demand a House print the thing. It is a total original.

  2. Thank you, mon frère. You are a much valued supporter of Richard, Oswald, Claire … and me!

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