Category: Chapter Eight

391 – The Battle of Hastings

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Stamford Bridge had been a nightmare.  Thousands of dead… untold numbers of wounded. And the fallout was just beginning. All over Britain, all over Europe, families would slowly be learning the fate of their loved ones. Word was spreading across England and up to Orkney. Out to Flanders, and Norway.

389 – The Tyrant and the Muddy Crossing

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The shores of Saint Valery must have been quite the sight. Looking at the records, which discuss the size of this fleet and other notes that let us estimate the size of the original fleet launched from the River Dives, and comparing those to the records of the fleet following it’s mooring at Saint Valery…historians estimate William lost somewhere in the region of 100 ships. Some were shipwrecked. But others would have just deserted.

388 – The Stupid Before The Storm

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We left off in the Court of Harald Hardrada.

And you probably feel like you know a lot about this man by now. There’s the stories about the empress, and his time as a Varagian, and about his reputation as a seductive warrior poet. And all of the “oh my god this guy is hot” stories really were circulating around him… Like, if you were going to cast Harald Hardrada for your 1066 movie, you would probably cast him with Jason Momoa. But Harald was a person, and while the stories about Harald’s sex appeal are hilariously awesome (which is why I often bring them up), the fact was that Harald had many more sides to him.

385 – The Audacity of Boats

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Ok nerds, take this down.

Dear Harry, I was saddened to hear of King Edward’s death. but, I am writing to inform you that my beloved cousin promised me the throne a while back. Don’t worry if this is news to you, it was a secret so I understand if you are a little surprised.

ANYwayyyy, thanks for keeping the seat warm, but, don’t get too comfortable! Haha.

Everyone here in Normandy is very excited about all this, because they know how you also promised me the throne. So glad we are all on the same page!

I look forward to ruling over you as King, see ya soon.

Cheers,

Duke William of Normandy

383 – The Death of King Edward

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Christmas of 1065 would have been a grim affair. And as 1066 approached, the Court was likely consumed with anxiety. The King was childless and the throne was being eyed from all sides by foreign dynasties and, according to sources like William of Poitiers, the King had been terribly ill for quite some time. Poitiers tells us that this illness had become so severe in 1063 that the King had made preparations for succession, believing he was already on his deathbed.