Tag Archives: King Harold II

HAS THE FYRD BEEN SUMMONED TO EARLY?

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KING HAROLD SUMMONS THE FYRD

On April 1st, 1066, King Harold II took action in defence of the Realm and summoned the ‘Fyrd’ to watch over the coasts. There are watch posts all along the south coast from Bosham to Dover. The Fyrd is the Anglo-Saxon militia and is made up of men drawn from the farms, villages and towns of southern England.

Osgar Shield Landscape

EDITORIAL

HAS THE FYRD BEEN SUMMONED TO EARLY?

The ‘Summoning of the Fyrd’ seems to be at odds with the intelligence received recently from Normandy. Duke William’s preparations have only just begun and it is unlikely that all the ships required for the invasion will be completed for another two months at least.

Of course, there is always that loose cannon Tostig to think about but he has little support in Wessex and there is little to suggest that he has the money, power or men to mount a serious invasion attempt.

It may be a calculated show of strength by the King causing William, and his nobles, second thoughts about invading our England.

Let’s just hope that the Fyrd do prove to be an effective defence.

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

Closer ties with Denmark?

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Sweyn

By March, the ‘Treacherous Tostig’ had sailed all that way to Denmark and on to Viborg, just for King Sweyn to tell him no.

‘I don’t want to turn against Harold, he’s family too. I’d rather fight side by side with him, against that Viking William, then support any of your ill thought out proposed invasion plans. You’ll get no help here.’

AN INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF KING HAROLD’S CLOSEST ADVISORS

Last night our Royal Reporter was able to capture this insight into a political strategy that may help England’s cause. Speaking anonymously, a noble Lord said:

“If I had my way, Harold would be sending out emissaries to Denmark and building up his family ties abroad. They’d send an army to help and it might stop William if we could show a united front. Those Vikings from Norway have been trouble for the last 250 years, looting, burning and pillaging, and everything else too. William’s got Viking blood and he’s just the same. We need to stop him at source, turn his people against him. Sometimes, the King is so stubborn he won’t listen to any advice, good or bad.”

It’s an interesting viewpoint and one that makes some sense but will King Harold take heed?

FITZOSBERN THROWS DOWN THE GAUNTLET

After spring begins, William summons another war council to meet at Lillebonne and they begin to draw up the invasion plans. FitzOsbern, Lord of Breteuil, announced that “I’ll furnish forty ships, manned, equipped and provisioned, who of you will be brave enough to follow my lead”. The gauntlet was thrown down to the assembled nobles, challenging their loyalty to great effect. The first battle was won.

Following the reports from Normandy, the talk on the streets of London dismisses William as delusional and paranoid. “He’s just like a spoilt child” one said. “Stamps his feet and throws a tantrum just like my four year old but my wife gives in to him and he gets what he wants in the end, the same as William”. Another said “It’s all because he didn’t get England. He’s just evil but we can’t get his people to see that, he’s got such a good propaganda machine that they all believe him – even that Pope chap in Rome.”

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 visit: www.1066thesaxontimes.com/home

 

Saxons Count Cost Of Joining Europe

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Issue 40

Norman Lies

God came in peace and Bishop Odo’s reliance on the Pope’s Blessing is hypocritical at the very least.

It is really all to do with power, the power of the Church and the power of Duke William. Both see the opportunity for riches and wealth. I’ve already heard the nobles carving up lands for themselves and looting and murder are all part of their game. No doubt they hope to buy their forgiveness, in the eyes of the Lord, by making large donations to the Church.

There is no such thing as Norman goodwill.

All Are Dead

After the terrible events of the Battle of Senlac Hill, when the ‘flower of English nobility and youth lay dead’, the Norman Army spent yesterday scouring the battle field.

If any Saxon was still alive it was a miracle, but they would not be long for this world. The murderous Normans made sure that no Saxon should ‘suffer’ a lingering death.

 

This issue of The Saxon Times is included in the 1066 Saxon Times Resource book:

www.1066thesaxontimes.com

Final Battle Edition

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Issue 39

Exclusive Eye Witness Reports

The Battle

They were like dogs after a hare- – Once they got the scent.

There was no stopping them.

Down the hill they ran, Faster And faster.

They thought that they had won. They thought that they were proper soldiers

But they just didn’t listen.

We could see what would happen From the top of the hill.

We knew what would happen At the bottom.

They gave William the upper hand As we fell back to defend the King.

 

Runners told us the Second Army was close But the King was hit, his brothers too

And the word was given. Fall Back, Fall Back, To the Andreasweald, To the Malfosse.

 

The Malfosse

It’s late. It’s dusk. The Second Army’s here. At last.

We join the line they’ve formed At Malfosse, at Malfosse we whisper.

It’s darker now And on the Normans come

The sound of horses and cries in French, Louder, Louder. Closer, Closer

 

They are the dogs now after the hare, They have the scent of blood.

We are stronger now and we stand defiant. We urge the Normans on For we can win here

For we can win, or we have Malfosse!

 

And win we did. In the name of Harold and Saxon England.

Horses and Normans piled high in the ditch. The ditch that was Malfosse.

And then we disappeared, Into the night, Into the Andreasweald.

Remember Malfosse, A victory, but a hollow one,

For we have lost our King. For we have lost our country

May God Speed And Save Us All From Norman Rule.

 

This issue of The Saxon Times is included in the 1066 Saxon Times Resource book:

www.1066thesaxontimes.com

Celebrate Tonight For Tomorrow We Fight

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Issue 37

The Army began to arrive at the campsite from early this morning.

The vanguard crossed the Appledore Estuary at Sedlescombe and are in good shape. The bulk of the army came by Vine Hall, following the old trackways. It took longer but it avoided the estuary.

It is the English custom to pass the night, drinking and singing, and without sleep. They say that it takes the mind of the fyrdmen away from thoughts of the morrow.

Axes are being sharpened, leather bottles filled.

There is much talk of past campaigns and victories to motivate and energise the forces, especially those who are inexperienced.

Many went up to the ridge at Senlac. Across the valley was the Norman camp. It did not seem as big as our camp and gave many of the troops a lift, especially those first-timers.

The Norman camp seemed quiet and on the breeze, could be heard chanting, chanting like you would hear in church.

There were a few laughs amongst the Anglo-Saxon ranks “if they’re confessing their sins already they must think that they’re going to die.

Tomorrow, we’ll help them on their way” said one wag which raised more laughter.

This issue of The Saxon Times is included in the 1066 Saxon Times Resource book:

www.1066thesaxontimes.com

William to be crowned King by Christmas

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Issue 36

Normans Are Ready

William, Duke of Normandy and his Council of War are delighted by the intelligence received from their spies.

There is a belief that in Harold’s haste, some of the army may have been left behind to recover from the long march from York and will follow on later.

By contrast, William’s army seem well rested in their long established safe haven, at Hastings, and are ready for a fight. They had been dreading a long, drawn-out campaign and believe a swift engagement will be to their advantage.

The Norman army is getting ready to move from the security of Hastings and Hastings Castle to a new camp on Telham Hill, seven miles to the north.

My informants tell me of Duke William’s intention to meet Harold’s army close to the crossroads at Senlac Hill.

Sources close to the Duke admit that these strategic crossroads hold the key to the invasion.

Win here and William could be crowned King by Christmas.

Comment

I fear for England and our Saxon Rights and our Rule of Law. We must not submit to Norman dictatorship.

It will not be benevolent. We will be forced from our lands. Our lives will be controlled by fear and uncertainty. Taxation will destroy our way of life.

French will become our language. It is not the future that we want for our sons

Trust me.

This issue of The Saxon Times is included in the 1066 Saxon Times Resource book:

www.1066thesaxontimes.com

It Will All Be Over by Christmas

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Issue 35

There are rumours abounding, spread by those who know the area well, that Senlac is key.

As Earl of Wessex, Harold is aware that the ground around Senlac is hilly and far from ideal for the cavalry that reports suggest make up much of the Norman forces.

If Harold can hold the Senlac ridge, the Norman forces will be bottled up in Hastings for the winter. With William finding it difficult to feed his army in the bad weather and prone to disease, the invasion will be finished before it has really started.

It will all be over by Christmas

This issue of The Saxon Times is included in the 1066 Saxon Times Resource book:

www.1066thesaxontimes.com

THIS LAND IS OUR LAND – THIS LAND OF WESSEX

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Issue 34

King Harold spoke to his assembled men late today.

“Duke William has an army of around 10,000 but we fought against such odds and won at Stamford Bridge.

We have tasted victory and victory will be ours once again.

I call upon my loyal fyrdmen to take up arms once more. Be ready to leave in five days and reinforcements will join us on the march to ‘the old hoar apple tree’ on Caldbec Hill, near the ridge at Senlac and Hastings

The second army will follow us the next day.

We men of Wessex know it well.

It is our land, our land to defend, defend the ridge at Senlac and we will win the war.”

The speech was met with a tremendous shout and a beating of shields. The horses shied but were soon calmed as the men drifted back to camp. The day that will decide the future of England will soon be upon us all.

This paper will have reporters traveling with the army to keep all our readers up to date with the army’s progress.

This issue of The Saxon Times is included in the 1066 Saxon Times Resource book:

www.1066thesaxontimes.com

Hastings Falls Without A Fight

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Issue 32

The Saxon Times were ‘privileged’ to have an audience with Duke William who said “ I am here in Hastings as a friend of the people. I come in peace. Do not be afraid for I will reward those that support me but be warned that if I do encounter opposition it will be dealt with severely, without conscience for I have God and right on my side.” His final words, before we were dismissed, commanded that a motte and bailey castle should be built on West Hill.

Hastings is an ideal stronghold, easily fortified with two commanding hills dominating the town and harbour.

To consolidate his position, Duke William has sent several troops of mounted soldiers to terrorise the country and look for signs of the English army.

The key is to gain control of the ridge at Senlac. He would then be able to march east and west along the ancient trackways or north using the old Roman road. If the ridge falls to William he can move to conquer England.

King Harold is 300 miles away in York and the Senlac ridge is undefended and is only seven miles from Hastings.

The Duke now has time to consolidate his position in Hastings. With control of the ridge Duke William can then advance to dominate the rest of the country – it is a masterful plan as befits the Duke. Nothing will be allowed to get in his way.

This issue of The Saxon Times is included in the 1066 Saxon Times Resource book:    www.1066thesaxontimes.com

The Noble Quest For The Throne Of England

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The following is reprinted from an article in the Norman newspaper ‘Le Monde Du Normandie’ published 29th September 1066.

The Noble Quest For The Throne Of England

Issue 31

William of Jumièges and William of Poitiers, Duke William’s chroniclers, were with The Great Duke on his landing on English soil at the start of ‘The Noble Adventure to Claim the Throne of England’.

Beachhead secured and is spread across the wide Pevensey Bay from west to east towards Bexhill.

The Norman cavalry, foot soldiers and archers disembark and take their first steps on English soil.

Next are the carpenters who have been ordered to assemble a castle on the site of the old Roman fort from panels already constructed in Normandy and brought over with the invasion. Even the boats are being taken apart as part of the castle construction.

If they are defeated by King Harold there is no chance of them returning home but any such talk is quickly quashed by Duke William with promises of untold wealth.

But with King Harold in York, it has given the Duke free reign in Wessex to build a strong base rumoured to be at Hastings.

This issue of The Saxon Times is included in the 1066 Saxon Times Resource book:  www.1066thesaxontimes.com