deep breath, deep breath
fuck I'm exhausted have a thing that might make sense
Secret of Kells © Cartoon Saloon
Kells welcomes all who seek safety.
All.
That is uncommon.
The brothers hear tales of other places who said they welcomed all for refuge against the Northman, and many times they hear of the opposite. Tales of rejection and anger if they don't seem to be right—too old, too young, ill in the head, Pagan, Crom-worshippers, "drainers of food and water meant for better mouths" forced to move on from one to the next, rarely able to stay for more than a night.
Abbot Cellach is not a cruel man, as intimidating and cold as he may seem. The monks are kind. The people of Kells are agreeable, being led by such people, and many know family and friends who had been lost to the Northmen already.
When the Abbot comes the gates, he does not even speak to those he did not know before—he simply stands aside to let them in, rather than attacking them with questions. The brothers of Kells come up and speak with them as to where they will stay, and reassure them they are safe in the walls and the chapel, no matter who they are. All that is asked is that they tell the Abbot about where the Northmen attacked and when.
The intention was simply to be kind, but it turned out very well. There was no end to the grateful volunteers to work on the Wall, to grow crops, to take care of the animals. It grew from something small to something massive and intricate and unlike any other place in Ireland.
Kells welcomes all who seek safety, and it is all the more beautiful for it.