Thegns and Scribes: Facts Behind the Fiction

June 2, 2026

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Elizabeth Donne Joins us today to talk about medieval thegns and scribes, and how they impacted her story The Legend Begins, Book One of Forevers in Fenwick.

Although The Legend Begins is a Regency novella, the legend itself supposedly originated in 924AD with a scribe called Alwin.

Medieval scribes are commonly imagined as monks, copying religious texts and adding exquisite, colorful illustrations to the pages. The reason why we associate scribes with the monastic clergy and not noblemen is due to the fact that a large number of knights and nobles were not educated. They would likely have some subordinate doing their reading and writing for them. Unlike modern times, where education adds to status, nobles gained social standing by the number of men they could gather for an army, thus able to hold more influence with the king.

Alwin-300x300 Author's Blog Facts Behind the Fiction Highlighting Historical Romance Highlighting History

Author’s image of Alwin

Alwin is a second son of a lesser thegn (modern spelling: thane). These were ranked above ordinary freemen (peasants) and below earls. Over centuries, thegns would become the knights associated with the Middle Ages. In the Regency era, they would be the equivalent of barons. Their wealth lay in land rather than money, the peasants who lived on that land being their main resource.

In The Legend Begins, Alwin had been sent to a Monastery at Bury St. Edmunds (then called Beodricesworth) to become a priest. It was a religious community of secular priests which had existed there from 663 AD. The body of the martyred King St. Edmund was buried there in 903 AD, making it a significant site.

Alwin, however, never joined the priesthood. After leaning the skills of a scribe, he chose not to take his vows. Instead, he became an itinerant scribe, earning his keep as he went. He would have written letters and copied out legal documents at villages he traveled to while perhaps seeking a more permanent position.

His travels brought him eventually to Fenwick on Sea, about 40 miles from the monastery. He would have had ink (in tightly corked inkwells), quills, and vellum (pages made from animal hide) with him, all of which would have been prepared by hand and carried in some sort of satchel for easy and safe transportation.

None of this appears in our story, other than to say he is a traveling scribe. When we write authentic historical romance, simply choosing to have a scribe in the story is not good enough. Was he religious? Was he educated at home or a monastery? His status would influence his speech, the clothes he wears, the choices he makes. Was he the sort of man who would believe in the fae? If I cannot shape a realistic character from his background, my readers won’t find him believable other. Backstory, even when not shared, is critical.

I offer my sincere thanks to fellow Bluestocking Belle, Rue Allyn—who has done far more research into the Middle Ages than I have—for all her valuable input when I was figuring Alwin out. She set on me on a much more reliable path to his background than I would have come up with on my own. It’s amazing being part of such a knowledgeable group.

About the Book

Ah, Fenwick on Sea! A humble village, somewhat forgotten by time. But not for long if the innkeeper has his way! Rumor of a fae blessing upon his inn is exactly what he needs to draw crowds back to the neglected village. Of course, it’s only talk. Or is it?

When an earl takes up residence on a nearby estate, Barnaby Ash thinks his task to catalogue the gentleman’s library will be a simple one. However, among the many volumes, he is intrigued to find an ancient, illustrated folio. He certainly does not expect its effect on him to be quite so alarming. Barnaby is far too sensible to believe in magic, but there is no denying that he is changing. And when he realizes someone has actually tampered with the manuscript, he is determined to unearth all its secrets.

Joy Tully, the church warden’s adventurous, outspoken, and—sigh, still-unmarried—daughter, volunteers to help Barnaby solve the mysteries surrounding the strange book. His earnest approach to everything soon wins her over. And Joy is exactly the sort of free spirit to stir Barnaby’s quiet heart.

Just in time, too. For their growing feelings are at the heart of bringing Fenwick’s Blessing of Forevers to life.

About the Author

Elizabeth Donne’s writing is a natural outpouring of a lifelong love affair with English literature. Although she has spent most of her life in Cape Town, South Africa, she now lives in the American Midwest, where she enthusiastically introduces her visitors to the joys of drinking rooibos tea. With a biscuit, of course.