The Role of Religion

The extent of the role religion plays in a society depends on the manner in which the people perceive the need, accept the tenets, and participate in religious services and events. This novel is set circa 997 CE when the church is heavily involved in meeting physical and spiritual needs.

A prominent example of religion serving the needs of people during the novel's time period is the the church bell's task of gathering together the people in the area. Edgar waits for the church bell to signal the beginning of the day in the opening scene. That bell summons the monks to begin their daily tasks, but it also alerts the townspeople to the approaching dawn. When Edgar realizes the Vikings are attacking, he runs to the church to ring the bell as a means of alerting the townspeople of the danger. The ringing...