To Asserius Menevensis, our most honored and esteemed colleague in the work of Jesus Christ the Lord, Eminence and Archbishop, I bring greeting.

We have received your messages with gratitude at your solicitude for our kingdom, which by the mercy of God, we have made more secure in recent months. It will be proper for us to assist in your effort to search out heathen invaders and eliminate them from our realm. For the time being, it will be most convenient for this work to be entrusted to our well loved son of Mercia.

Your concern for the girl Aelgifu is most gratefully received. We are, however, reluctant to lose the benefit of our child's company at this time. She is young yet and giddy as are all females at her age. But we judge that her devotion to God is true. If she wants counsel, that is a lack that can be rectified by a confessor who is firm in his fear of the Lord. We charge you to send us a man of wisdom who can take the girl gently in tow and lead her forward on the path you have determined she must follow.

In small token of our great esteem for you and your works, we are sending a newly completed copy of the Psalter of St. Peter along with a book pointer of cunning design. The large amethyst in the pointer is said to have belonged to Carolus Magnus himself and reputedly was looted from a monastery in Lotharingia. It was purchased by us from a source who claims to have recovered it from the heathen.

We send this missive and our gift with our best wishes for your continued health that you may prosper in the work of the Lord.

By this my hand and seal, Alfred