Death of Bertha of Paris
Bertha of Paris, the Frankish queen and wife of King Æthelberht of Kent, lies on her deathbed in Canterbury. Surrounded by a priest, her lady-in-waiting, and a servant, she receives her last rites and
Setting
A dimly lit chamber within the royal residence in Canterbury, adorned with simple yet elegant furnishings. The room is small, with a high ceiling and narrow windows allowing minimal light. A wooden crucifix hangs on one wall, and a small altar is set up near the bed.
Characters
Bertha of Paris
primary
A frail woman in her late fifties, with silver-streaked auburn hair spread across the pillow. Her fair, lined face is gaunt from illness, with high cheekbones and deep-set blue eyes that still retain a regal bearing. Her hands, resting atop the woolen blanket, are thin with prominent veins.
Priest
primary
A middle-aged man of slight build, with a gaunt face marked by deep lines of devotion and fatigue. His thinning gray hair is cropped short in the monastic style, and his pale blue eyes are weary yet kind. His hands, clasped in prayer, are rough from years of labor and ritual.
Lady-in-waiting
secondary
A noblewoman in her late twenties, slender with delicate features. Her fair complexion is flushed from weeping, and her light brown hair is neatly braided and pinned beneath a simple veil. Her hands are clasped tightly together, knuckles white with tension.
Servant
background
A slender young servant, likely no older than 15, with a prematurely worn face from years of labor. Their light brown hair is tied back simply, and their hands are calloused from work. Their posture is slightly hunched from habitual deference.
Dialog
Bertha of Paris
Domine, exaudi orationem meam... Let not my passing shadow darken the hearts of those I leave...
Priest
Per istam sanctan unctionem... Through this holy oil, may the Lord grant you mercy as the river grants drink to the thirsty.
Bertha of Paris
The vineyard I planted... tell my daughter it must be tended...
Priest
As the good seed falls into earth, so shall your works rise again in God's time.
Bertha of Paris
In manus tuas...
Priest
Go forth, Christian soul, from this world...