lunchtime read: Helena

The story is nearing its conclusion and the emperor leaves Rome and sets off to the East to establish Constantinople. He is followed by his mother Helena who is determined to find the cross that Christ was crucified on.

Before they leave Rome there is a bit of blood-letting with Constantine losing his son, who he had sent into exile, and then in revenge he decides to kill his wife Faustia. She pushes it too far after she tries to build on her triumph in getting rid of her step-son by suggesting that Helena should be killed.

She gets a witch to back her up but Constantine sees through it this time and the witches and his wife are snuffed out. He then decides to leave the city and hands it over to the Pope commenting that despite the tombs of Peter and Paul the place is heathen.

Final chunk tomorrow…