A new chapter

1. And it came to pass in the reign of Peter, the son of Poverty of the tribe of Ferbrache, and in the fourth year of his reign, that Charles, the son of Northcote of the tribe of Parkinson, opened his mouth and spake unto the Chosen of the People in the appointed place, saying:

2. Behold, hath not the voice of the People been heard saying, ‘Enough already!’, even unto us the Chosen? And hath not a fierce strife arisen among us?

3. Therefore, is it not meet that we the Chosen of the People should assemble together and choose from among us a Leader who commendeth himself unto us?

4. And they answered and said, as it seemeth good unto them, so do.

5. So they sent forth and summoned all the Chosen of the People who dwelt in the region of Guernsey and the two Chosen members from over the sea in the place called Alderney.

6. And being assembled their number was thirty and eight.

7. And in the twelfth month and thirteenth day of the month, the Chosen of the People did assemble to choose among themselves a Leader of the Chosen of the People to lead them henceforth.

8. For, hath not the Scriptures said, ‘Choose from your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will set them over you.’

9. And there came Rob of the tribe of Prow and Lyndon of the tribe of Trott and Peter of the tribe of Roffey and Charles of the tribe of Parkinson.

10. And each in his turn rose and saith, ‘Follow me, for I will lead thy People out of the dark valley into the sunlit uplands.’

11. Now, when the set time was come, the Chosen of the People rose, each in their turn, and saith who was to be their Leader.

12. And it came to pass that the Chosen of the People cast their lots in favour of Lyndon of the tribe of Trott to lead them out of the dark valley into the sunlit uplands.

13. And the Chosen of the People being assembled had much pleasant discourse together and a feast was prepared with all things pleasant and goodly to the eye.

14. And the fierce strife that had arisen among the Chosen of the People was banished and the contention ceased.

15. When the even was come, the Chosen of the People departed from the House and journeyed to their homes.

Chris Sackett

Calais Road, St Martin’s