The History of Richard Raynal, Solitary A Glimpse of Life That Is Not Often Thought

Richard Raynal is a young man living as a "solitary" - he is voluntarily living alone and in outward poverty in service to God near a rectory. His life may seem similar to that of a monk, but he has not taken any vows, he's just a solitary servant of God at an unspecified time in the early Middle Ages. The story is told from the point of view of the parish priest, who at times is bewildered by Richard's actions.The plot turns on Richard's conviction that God has given him a message to deliver to the King of England. To obey, he must leave his beloved, simple home in the rural countryside, and undertake a very perilous journey to see the King. In this he must act with immense faith, because although he has discerned God's command to see the King, he has no idea what the message will be.After being greatly abused in the town as he attempts to get access to the King, he receives and delivers his message, but the King immediately becomes very ill. Now blamed for causing the King's illness, he suffers a prolonged punishment at the hands of the King's court. Through all, he concentrates on the sufferings of Christ and holding on with all his strength to the union of his soul with God.The story is well written and very interesting - it is conveyed as notes taken from the account written by Richard's priest.