Warriors of the Storm (The Last Kingdom, #9)

by Bernard Cornwell

‘Why is it called Easter?’ I demanded. ‘Because our Lord died and was resurrected in the east, of course,’ Ceolnoth answered. ‘Horse shit,’ I said, ‘it’s called Easter because it’s Eostre’s feast, and you know it.’ ‘It is not …’ Ceolberht began indignantly. ‘Eostre!’ I overrode him. ‘Goddess of the spring! Goddess of baby-making! You Christians stole both her name and her feast!’ ‘Ignore him,’ Ceolnoth said, but he knew I was right. Eostre is the goddess of the spring, and a merry goddess she is too, which means many babies are born in January. The Christians, of course, try to stop the merriment, claiming that the name Easter is all about the east, but as usual the Christians are spouting nonsense.