Book Study Questions

There are two sets of questions. One is for use at church book groups, the other for nonchurch groups. Mix and match as you wish!

Bound by an Oath - Book Study Questions for Church Groups

The theme of conflict of religions was prominent in the book. Which three religions coexisted in Britain in the fifth century?
The author is an ordained Episcopal priest. Did she portray the other religions in a respectful way? Give examples to support your answer.
The story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4: 1-18) provides a metaphor in Bound by an Oath. Does it work?
What other biblical characters do you see reflected in the book’s characters? Rahab (Joshua 2), Cyrus of Persia (Ezra 1) Others?
How sincere are Aethelreda and Blaedswith in their conversions?
Can Aethelreda be a good Christian with her strong desire for revenge? Give an example of an American value that is antithetical to the values that Jesus exemplified.
How have BOTH Aethelreda and Blaedswith changed by the end of the book?
Is Paulos noble, or is he a coward?
Paulos was an accomplished ambassador and evangelist. Was the Pope justified in punishing him for so long?
Have you ever had to decide between two people or things in your life that you loved? How did you resolve that conflict?

Bound by an Oath - Book Study Questions for General Groups

The Fifth Century was a time of change for the people of Britain. Was there anything about that period as presented in this novel that shocked or surprised you?
Did the author paint a clear picture of the settings? Give an example to prove your point.
Did the plot line of Bound by an Oath progress at a satisfactory rate?
Did any of the characters stand out for you? Who and why? Which character did you empathize with the most?
Did your opinion of any of the characters change as you read more of the book? If so, how?
What evidence of good stylistics did you see in this novel?
What themes did you identify and how did they impact the characters?
Why did Aethelreda send Paulos back to Rome when he offered to stay with her in her village?
Have you ever had to decide between two people or things in your life that you loved? How did it feel? How did you resolve the conflict?
Did the events and characters in this book have any relevance to us in the 21st century?

Character List

Describe the item and include any relevant details. Click to edit the text.

Abbas Matthaeus – (Ab -as- Matt-ay-us) Abbot of Pomposa Abbey

Aedisonne - (Add- i- son) Son of Aethelreda

Aeditha – (Add- i- tha) Niece of Blaedswith

Aethelreda – (Ath-il-reed-a) Queen of the Cantii

Andreas – (An- dray- us) Brother of Blaedswith (formerly Aedelheard )

Blaedswith – (Blad-swith) Owner of the villa and silver mines in Wingham. Wife of Godefridus.

Bertrand – Porter at Pomposa Abbey

Butu – Son of Caradeg, lover of Lugotori

Caradeg – King of the Catuvellauni

Carvilius- (Car-vill -ee-us) King of the Cantii, father of Aethelreda

Chad – Husband of Docillina

Docillina- (Doh – sill – ee- na) Personal servant of Aethelreda in later years

Eadric – (Ed- rick) Servant of Blaedswith

Father Aelwyn – (Ail- winn) Cleric of St. Martin’s , Wingham

Father Augustus – Cleric of St. Mary’s, Lower Combe (Formerly Frater Augustus)

Father Graeme – (Gray- im) Cleric of St. Paul’s, Vagniacis

Father Oswald – Cleric of Holy Trinity, Canterbury

Flavia – Flavius and Aeditha’s daughter

Flavius – Husband of Aeditha, former Roman soldier

Frater Augustus – Monk accompanying Paulos on first & second journeys. Becomes Father Augustus

Frater Luke – Monastery companion of Paulos in his old age

Frater Marcos and Frater Julius – Monks who accompanied Paulos on fourth missionary journey

Frater Paulos – Monk from Ravenna, beloved of Aethelreda

Frater Theophilus – (Fra-ter Thee-off-i-lus) Monk who replaced Paulos on third missionary journey

Garth- Leader of the Saxon invaders

Godefridus – (God -i-free-dus) Owner of the villa and silver mines in Wingham. Husband of Blaedswith.

Harold - Aethelreda’s personal servant in later years

Hermanrich – (Her-man-rick) Servant/guard of Garth

Ionnia – ( Eye-o-nee-a) Blaedswith’s servant

Laurentinus – (Loh-ren-teen-us) Roman crew, first mission trip

Lucius – (Lew-chi-us) Roman crew, first mission trip

Lugotori - Cousin of Aethelreda

Martialis – (Mar-chi-ah-lis) Roman crew, first mission trip

Merewenne 1 – (Mer-wen-a) Mother of Aethelreda

Merewenne 2 - Daughter of Aethelreda

Mildreth – Aethelreda’s personal servant

Oswald - Flavius and Aeditha’s son

Petros- Oldest brother of Blaedswith (Formerly Seanu)

Pope Innocent I – Pope during Paulos’s early life

Pope Leo (the Great) – Pope at the end of Paulos’s life

Raedbora – (Rad -bor-a) Saxon entry guard

Roderic – Cantii entry guard

Quintus – Captain of ship, first and second missionary journeys

Segovax – (Se-go-vax) Cousin of Aethelreda

Synnove- (Sin-ove) Flavius and Aeditha’s daughter

Thorsimund – Garth’s person servant/ guard

Toberon – Brother of Aethelreda

Wigmaer – (Wig- mayor) Servant of Blaedswith

Wilfred – Brother of Aethelreda

Book Study Questions

Character List

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