THERE’S MORE TO 1066 THAN THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS
For the full report behind these headlines and the reports, read 1066 The Saxon Times and experience the Norman Conquest through the eyes of the Saxon Times reporters.
For more information on The Saxon Times and to LOOK INSIDE visit: www.1066thesaxontimes.com
The Headlines
The Anglo-Saxon Army begin to arrive in London but need to be ready to march again by October 11th.
The King prays at Waltham Abbey for strength in his battle with Duke William.
THERE’S MORE TO 1066 THAN THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS
For the full report behind these headlines and the reports, read 1066 The Saxon Times and experience the Norman Conquest through the eyes of the Saxon Times reporters.
For more information on The Saxon Times and to LOOK INSIDE visit: www.1066thesaxontimes.com
DREAMING OF A NEW KINGDOM.
Late on the 12th the Norman fleet is gathered safely at the mouth of the River Somme and Duke William must wait for the favourable winds that will start the invasion of Anglo-Saxon England.
THERE’S MORE TO 1066 THAN THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS
For the full report behind these headlines and the reports, read 1066 The Saxon Times and experience the Norman Conquest through the eyes of the Saxon Times reporters.
For more information on The Saxon Times and to LOOK INSIDE visit: www.1066thesaxontimes.com
IS DUKE WILLIAM RUNNING SCARED?
Clearly the King expected an invasion during the regular fighting season. The King’s forces are all trained and ready but there is no sight of any ships from Normandy. What is Duke William playing at?
THERE’S MORE TO 1066 THAN THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS
For the full report behind these headlines and the reports, read 1066 The Saxon Times and experience the Norman Conquest through the eyes of the Saxon Times reporters.
For more information on The Saxon Times and to LOOK INSIDE visit: www.1066thesaxontimes.com/home
HARDRADA’S INVASION DIARY
Harald Hardrada calls to arms his Viking brothers and embarks from the Isle of Solund. His invasion fleet consists of 300 warships and about 12000 men. It is a formidable force and prides itself on its fierce history.
SHETLAND
16th August and Hardrada reaches the Shetland Islands. There is ‘overlord business’ to take care of as befitting a colony of Norway and the stay on Shetland is prolonged for a few days. The men use the time for a little rest and recreation in the true Viking way and there are a few battered and weary bodies when the call comes to embark ship for the next journey.
ORKNEY
By the end of the week, they reach the Orkney Islands, another Norwegian protectorate.
To cement his position as King and to seal the alliance, Hardrada betroths his daughters to the brothers Paul Thorfinnsson and Erland Thorfinnsson who jointly rule the Isles as Earls of Orkney.
It is no coincidence that the Earls ‘agree’ to provide reinforcements for the Norse army and they sail to Scotland with Hardrada at the end of August.
VIKING FEAST FIT FOR A KING
Hardrada spends the rest of August feasting, renewing and accepting new oaths of fealty.
A horse was sacrificed to the old Gods, spitted and roasted until it fell off the bone. Salt fish and pork and goat added courses to the feast with plenty of fresh heavy bred to mop up the grease and gravy.
Some would use the bred as a plate, rather than the wooden bowls laid out for Hardrada, and their fingers instead of the sharp knives and spoons – made from wood, horn or animal bone. For the King they had been carved and decorated in the form of a dragon.
For the lesser tables, there was stew from the great iron cauldron over the fire. The stew, of boiled lamb bones, beans, peas, carrots, turnips and whatever else could be found, had been simmering for the last few days. The smoke from this fire and the one for the spit, roasting the horse, left the great long hall full of smoke.
A thin layer of fat has formed over the stew that softens the bred and which the men seem to enjoy although there is little appetite for the fresh fruit and the honey on buttered bred.
There is beer and more beer but Hardrada seems to prefer his mead made from the local honey and drunk from a silvered and decorated animal horn. The men get louder, the more they drink and soon start to sing the old Norse songs before falling asleep on the floor of the Great Hall.
For the full report behind these headlines and the reports, read 1066 The Saxon Times and experience the Norman Conquest through the eyes of the Saxon Times reporters.
For more information on The Saxon Times and to LOOK INSIDE visit: www.1066thesaxontimes.com/home
TOSTIG’S TALES
Tostig has finally found someone that will listen to him, listen to whatever tales he can tell and what tales they are.
He has convinced Harald Hardrada of Norway that England is ripe for the picking. Harold is down on the South Coast waiting for an expected invasion by Duke William of Normandy and the north lies unprotected.
“By the time that William invades England we shall control Northumbria and Mercia, re-taking the old Viking north” he whispers in Hardrada’s ear.
“Imagine, your Norse warriors striking fear into the North-East again, just like the old days. We can sail down the coast, sacking, looting and pillaging and be in York inside three weeks. Such riches, such wealth, such land and all yours for the taking.
You will become ‘the chosen one’ sweeping all before you.
There will be renewed pride in your fierce history. It will be the year to end all years, the war to end all wars.
We could crown you King by the end of the year.”
TOSTIG’S TREACHERY
It is Tostig’s treachery and promises of easy pickings that persuades King Harald III Hardrada of Norway to invade England.
One thing Tostig does well, the only thing Tostig does well, is to flatter and massage an ego.
His pitch is now to throw himself behind Hardrada’s claim to the throne just to spite his brother Harold.
If Tostig cannot have the throne he will try to stop Harold Godwinson’s reign at any cost but be warned, if things do not go well for Hardrada, Tostig and Copsig will switch sides at the drop of a hat.
For the full report behind these headlines, read 1066 The Saxon Times and experience the Norman Conquest through the eyes of the Saxon Times reporters.
For more information and to LOOK INSIDE visit: The Saxon Times
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1066 William’s March on London
14th October 1066 seems such a terminal date in English history but life continued.
‘1066 William’s March on London’ is an engaging account of what happened next as Duke William sought to consolidate his invasion of Anglo-Saxon England.
This is the story of Duke William’s strategy that culminates in his coronation at Westminster Abbey on 25th December 1066 and ends on New Year’s Eve.
Portrayed by his chroniclers as ‘a generous and accommodating man’ the reality is a little different as his plan unfolds and he cuts a wave of destruction across southern England with little opposition.
This talk delves a little deeper into the background and intrigue that surrounded the important events of that October, November and December starting with the aftermath of the Battle of Hastings.
The talk is based on all the evidence available for William’s march to London and brings it together in a logical, understandable and entertaining format.
From History Walks, Talks and Books – More than just footsteps on a Path.
For more information visit: www.1066haroldsway.co.uk
