by Harry Gulcher, Master of History in Rosewood
I had never seen anything like it. This is one of my first tasks and I am blown away by the sheer size. My life began in a small Dort somewhere south of Munrich, the Church raised me and educated me on the matters and importance of history and evidence. This is why I am here, a witness to history, and her beauty.
Accounts claim that St. Rosemund Church is as old as Rosewood itself, although it was only recently named that, namely around 1085. St. Rosemund, as the common people of Egirth would call her, is nothing more than a revoked Saint by His Holiness Pope Clement II. In fact, the Roman Church finds her guilty of witchcraft. His late Holiness, Pope Alexander I, even had her burnt at the stake for it. A much more appropriate name was to be chosen, namely the first female Bishop.
St. Leena rose to power somewhere between 1086-1087. It was then that she made history. Although before the time of Papal Investiture being fully implemented into the Sirius Empire, her achievement is nothing to scoff at. Despite her heroic rise, many sought to depose her and viewed her as a somewhat controversial figure. Some historians and theologians even claim that the 1087 Council of Rosewood was called mainly due to her enigmatic position in the Church’s then mostly male-dominated hierarchy. To put it simply, the men had no idea what a woman should do under God. Can she become the Pope? Can she lead the Knights Divine? Of course not, but the Council gave women of the Faith many privileges and effectively almost equalized them to their brothers. Despite the fact that she was later stripped of her Bishophood, she became a Duchess and was pronounced a Saint by Pope Alexander I on the 2nd Oct. 1091, just one year before his death. God watch over his soul. She became the patron Saint for the integrity of all women. Those who follow in her teachings claim that men and women were created equal under God and should be equal de jure. Monarchs seem to relish this idea since it provides the common people a Saint they can worship, while they somehow use her teachings to their own advantage.
I digress. After some twenty-odd years, St. Rosemund Church was rebuilt and upgraded to St. Leena Cathedral. It boasts majestic mosaics and some of the most beautiful glasswork I have ever had the chance of witnessing. The paintings of Jesus and Mary are dimply divine, as they should be I suppose. It is quite indeed, one of its kind. A local man claimed it could seat anywhere between 500 and 1000 people, which I find hard to believe. Unfortunately, I have not been granted access to the building’s entirety so I cannot confirm nor deny this statement. Two bell towers, quite literally, tower over the main building. Rosewood’s bells are known for signaling the most important of occasions and I’m sure having twice the amount since last time will help the citizenry know when a nobleman has died or when the King returns from his hunting trip.
Personally I’d forbid anyone entry except the most esteemed Kings and Emperors. I know God’s glory is for man, not just one but all of us, but I can’t help but feel guilty standing before such greatness. Nay, not Kings and Emperors, only God’s Son would be able to step into this Cathedral and feel at home. For we are unworthy of such divinity on this earth. May St. Leena’s prosper for many a century to come and may it inspire women all over Europa to find their faith and trust in the Lord. For without faith, both men and women are eternally lost. Amen brothers and sisters. Amen.
