Brought to you by The Saxon Times

Newspaper of the Year 1065

THE WAITING GAME

The winds get stronger and at last the Duke acknowledges that it would be foolhardy to sail now for England. The dream of a new kingdom could so easily be destroyed in the strong winds, with the loss of too many ships, men and horses. By late on the 12th the fleet is gathered safely back at the mouth of the River Dives and there they must wait for the favourable winds that will take them up the coast and across the Channel.

THE WEATHERMAN

He got it wrong. The equinoctial gales that have delayed the Normans also sweep the south of England and the English ships suffer heavy losses. The fleet may never recover.

Some believe that the Duke was also waiting for intelligence to confirm that King Harold had disbanded the fyrd.

An unguarded coastline would play straight into their hands.

IN OTHER NEWS