Author Archives: historywalks2013

There was singing and dancing and great rejoicing

Posted on by

Read the stories behind the headlines, Read The Saxon Times

Eadgar Of West Minster, The Saxon Times Court Correspondent, continues to review recent issues of The Saxon Times

5th January 1066

Edward, King of England 1042 – 1066

It has been announced with great regret that King Edward, known as ‘The Confessor’, died peacefully in his sleep this morning. He served his country well. Tomorrow will be a national day of mourning. It is expected that his funeral service will take place tomorrow in West Minster Abbey.

clip_image002

Political Comment.

I hope that I am not speaking out of turn but I have grave doubts about the future of our beloved England. Will the King’s childlessness ultimately lead to conflict? Will we have the strength and power to resist invasion from William, from Hardrada or from both?

6th January 1066

At The Witan Today By Our Political Correspondent Cenred of Ely

Today the Witan, was assembled to discuss the succession. With little hesitation or deliberation, they confirmed the identity of the new King of England.

Long Live King Harold II

King Harold Crowned King of England

On this day of Epiphany and with great ceremony before all the assembled nobles, King Harold II was crowned King of England, by Archbishop Stigand. The multitude’s former sombre mood was replaced with great rejoicing, fires were lit and there was singing and dancing that looked as if it would continue far into the night.

Long Live King Harold II

clip_image004

For details of stockists of The Saxon Times visit History Walks at: www.1066haroldsway.co.uk

The Saxon Times and The Saxon Times Classroom Resources are available from History Walks and from TES:  www.tes.com

www.1066thesaxontimes.com

In the defence of the Realm

Posted on by

Read the stories behind the headlines, Read The Saxon Times

a Westminster Abbey Drawing HR - Shaded

Eadgar Of West Minster, The Saxon Times Court Correspondent, takes a look at back at some of the headlines at the start of what has been a tumultuous New Year.

29th December 1065

West Minster Abbey set for Consecration but what should have been a Glorious Day was tinged with sadness.

The crowds that lined the streets, around the new Abbey and the Royal Palace on what should have been a day of great rejoicing, were much subdued.

King Edward, known and loved throughout the land as ‘The Confessor’, did not attend the ceremony. We understand, from a Court bulletin, that the King’s health had been failing for some time and yesterday he was too ill to walk the short distance from the Royal Palace. Inside sources close to the King appear to be greatly concerned and some believe that the King may not have long to live.

Militarily, he has had to rely on Wessex to maintain power but we have all enjoyed the benefit of comparative peace in our time. His death will create a power vacuum unless a strong leader steps forward to become King.

Sources close to the King indicate that there are three candidates who all believe that they have the right of accession and a valid claim to the throne.

As the King grows weaker by the day, and without an heir to succeed him, the achievements of Harold Godwinson cannot be overlooked.

His successes in the defence of the Realm have raised him to a position of such eminence that only his deficiency of royal blood can stand between him and the throne.

 

30th December 1065

It Is A Death Wish

Court Circular, The Palace of West Minster

A Court Bulletin confirms the continued concern for the health of King Edward the Confessor. His wife Edith, who is Harold Godwinson’s sister, and Harold Godwinson have both been constant at his bedside.

According to those close to Harold, King Edward spoke to Earl Godwinson of his fears for the future and said; “I commend my wife and all my kingdom to your care”.

There has been no formal confirmation from the Palace to confirm or deny this statement but it is quite possible that it will influence the Witan in their decision as to the succession.

 

The Struggle for England

The Candidates

Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex. Anglo-Saxon.

William of Normandy, Duke of Normandy, Resident of Normandy.

Harold Hardrada, King of Norway, Resident of Norway

 

For details of stockists of The Saxon Times visit History Walks at: www.1066haroldsway.co.uk

The Saxon Times and The Saxon Times Classroom Resources are available from History Walks and from TES: www.tes.com

www.1066thesaxontimes.com

A Most Enjoyable Read

Posted on by

Cover V2

“A most enjoyable read and will be of great interest to those pupils studying history.”

Yvette Gunther,

Librarian,

Nottingham High School

 

“Thank you for The Saxon Times, such fun and very informative and interesting and great for history teachers at both Secondary and primary level, using extracts for ideas and introductory work.”

Shirley W.

The Saxon Times

A Look at how the events of 1066 may have been reported by an English newspaper – with a little interference from the Normans

This book takes a novel and very different look at the tumultuous events of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Instead of being written as history, the book takes the form of a series of facsimile pages from a contemporary newspaper reporting on events as they unfolded and appeared to contemporary people.

When King Edward the Confessor died in January 1066 nobody can have foreseen the year of bloodshed and mayhem that would take place. Everything seemed settled and peaceful.

But very soon it became obvious that greedy, envious foreign eyes were being cast toward England. Invasion was not far off.

Follow what happened through the pages of the Saxon Times, a uniquely English look at what happened in that momentous year through the ‘eye-witnesses’ reports of the Saxon Times reporters.

Brother Ealdred’s Remedies for all your Ailments

Posted on by

June 1066

Brother Ealdred

Brother Ealdred of Malmsbury offers a wide variety of cures for dozens of medical problems, as described in the ‘Lacnunga’, with simple ointments, salves, drinks or remedies made up of a few ingredients. Occasionally, a prayer or chant is all that is needed to return one to full health.

 

Dear Brother Ealdred

Our eldest daughter is 14 years old and is forever rubbing her eyes. She’s made them sore and they always look red. She looks as if she’s been crying all the time and people are beginning to say that we beat her – but we don’t. We want her to look her best as it’s about time she got married but with her eyes so bad no man will come near her. What can we do?

Hereward

Click to read Brother Ealdred’s reply in The Saxon Times:           Blog logo

 

 

Ask Brother Ealdred

Statements made in The Saxon Times, regarding the advice on herbal and natural remedies, are sourced from the ‘Lacnunga’, a collection of miscellaneous Anglo-Saxon medical texts and prayers.

The advice given by Brother Ealdred is for information purposes only, it is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis provided by your doctor or other medical professionals.

Do not use Brother Ealdred’s advice to diagnose, treat or cure any illness or health condition. If you have, or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your doctor or health care provider.

LONDON MONTHLY: 30TH JUNE 1066

Posted on by

Blog header

Read about 1066 in this brief summary of The Saxon Times.

The Saxon Times is the paper that brings you the news as it happened and editorial, comment, features, foreign news, and special editions to bring the events to life.

Read the stories behind the headlines when The Saxon Times is published in September 2016.

LONDON MONTHLY: 30TH JUNE 1066

Royal Press Release 1st June 1066

By Our Royal Correspondent

Eadgard of West Minster

‘Today, King Harold II sails from Westminster to join the Royal Fleet.

The Fleet will sail to the Isle of Wight and will stay there until the 8th of September.

The Phoney War Continues

There is still the feeling amongst some of the King’s aides that it will ‘all be over by the end of summer’.

Reports from France tell of an army of men all along the Norman coast, building and fitting out ships of all sizes for carrying men, horses, provisions and weapons.

 

Normandy News

A Blessing in Disguise

On the 17th June, a Charter for the Holy Trinity in Caen was ratified by William and confirmed the status of the Abbey of the Holy Trinity, sources close to the Duke suggested that it was a further example of William’s godliness.

Robert The New Duke Of Normandy

Also on the 17th June, the following short court statement was issued:

‘Duke William hereby confirms that his son Robert will be proclaimed as Duke of Normandy should he fail to return from England.’

Does William Expect To Die?

With this official proclamation of his succession, is it the first sign of the vulnerability of Duke William. To leave Normandy in the hands of one so young speaks of William’s realisation of human frailty.

 

Last Month’s Quiz – ‘Where Will Tostig Go Next?’

The winner is Sigbert of Elesford and arrangements will be made to deliver his prize of a cow, donated by Rochester Abbey, as soon as possible.

 

Tostig’s Tortuous Travels

Tostig’s European Tour continues.

 

Harald Hardrada, Tostig’s Last Hope

Tostig thinks that he has a good idea that will appeal to King Harald Hardrada.

 

News from Europe: Germany June 1066

It is announced that his Imperial Majesty, Henry IV, King of Germany, has married Bertha of Savoy and Turin, daughter of Otto, Count of Savoy.

The Royal couple have been betrothed since 1055

 

There is much more to read about June 1066 in an A3 size poster available from History Walks.

Follow this link to check out The Saxon Times for June 1066:                  Blog logo

 

Tostig and Copsig’s Further Adventures

Posted on by

When these two get together anything can happen.

Already expelled from Northumbria in 1065 for excessive cruelty, they and their band of trained hooligans are now trying to make their mark on Euro 1066.

The authorities are aware of their travel plans and plan to nip any trouble in the bud.

 

Saxon Times May 1066

May’s edition of The Saxon Times republished

 

Excerpts from The Saxon Times will be available from 10th July 2016 in A3 format suitable for wall display. Visit www.1066thesaxontimes.com and www.1066haroldsway.co.uk for more information

The Saxon Times is set for publication 1st September 2016 by Bretwalda Books as an A4 paperback and will be available nationally.

The Saxon Times is on Display

Posted on by

Scan_20160611

Our next exhibition from 16th June will be ‘The Saxon Times’.

‘The newspaper is a look at how the events of 1066 may have been reported and records eye witness reports of the events surrounding the death of Edward the Confessor, the coronation of King Harold II, the events that led to the Battle of Hastings, 14th October 1066 and the subsequent conquest of England through the eyes of The Saxon Times reporters’.

The book is due to be published in August 2016 and promises a fascinating view into this most important period of the nation’s history. This is the work of David Clarke, who some of you will have heard talk on ‘Harold’s Way’ last year. David has also produced a series of walk booklets in and around Hastings and St Leonards which are stocked at the History House. We are grateful to David for the loan of the exhibition.

http://www.ohps.org.uk

www.1066thesaxontimes.com

The Saxon Times Exhibition, Hastings

Posted on by

The Saxon Times will be on display from 16th June to 26th July 2016 at:

Hastings History House

21 Courthouse Street, Hastings. TN34 3AU

Telephone: 01424 424 744

Thursdays to Sundays 11-4

www.ohps.org.uk

The exhibition will cover period from the Consecration of the new West Minster Abbey, 28th December 1065 to the end of July 1066 and includes the coronation of Harold Godwinson,  Hailey’s Comet, the treacherous Tostig, the preparations for war and much much more with eye witness reports of all the major events.

The final months of that tumultuous year, that includes the Battle of Hastings and the coronation of Duke William, will be on display from 4th September 2016.

1 Cover V2

The complete paperback edition of The Saxon Times is set for publication by Bretwalda Books during August 2016 and will be available nationally in all good bookshops and through the internet.

A full mail order facility for the purchase of individual and/or sets of issues will be available shortly at:

www.1066haroldsway.co.uk