If only I could have begun my travels earlier…but no complaints here.  I was drawn to scour the landscape by all the media at an early age, but most assuredly was grabbed by a historical novel that my brother-in-law and sister gave me as a Christmas gift back in the late seventies—the Golden Warrior, by Hope Muntz, the story of Harrold Godwinson (son of Godwin), and the Norman Invasion.

 

That reading led my wife, Barbara, and I on a trip to the UK and a following of the fateful path of Harold and his Saxon army-- from his defeat of the Vikings at Stamford Bridge in the north near York all the way south to Hastings with his exhausted men-- where he did battle with William the Conqueror (the Duke of Normandy)--the bastard king.

 

At the rather small battlefield at Hastings I found a grassy stretch leading down and then back up again at a slight angle, the bottom soft and I imagine marshy after rains.  I could not resist temptation, so I walked the length slowly and carefully and alone taking in all the drama within me.  I don’t think I was supposed to walk on this sacred field which has not been turned since 1066,  but….

 

The Normans fought on horseback and Harold’s army, led by his prized Housecarls (all of Danish and Norwegian descent) wielded battle axes and stood firmly shoulder to shoulder behind a stout shield wall, each man reputedly taking aim from the left.  And legend has it that these tall and powerful warriors could hew a horse and rider both together with a single blow. 

 

On that fateful day the history of England as a nation was forever changed as the Normans drew the Saxons out from behind their shields with a feigned retreat, then countered and routed Harold’s army, Harold meeting his fate with an arrow to the eye. 

 

I recommend that book—I still have it in hardback. 

 

Such is how a discipline of being tied to home and country can be thoroughly disrupted and a life of travel begun. 

 

Mrs. Fountain certainly put me on the path of travel with her in-depth teachings and her assigned readings.  Thank You Mrs. Fountain.  :-)

 

The fury at Hastings on Sunday, October 8, 1066....

 

King Harold is killed by an arrow to the eye....

 

 

The battlefield at Hastings today....
 

 

 

 

The Bayeux Tapestry (note Haley's Comet in the embroidery)

 

And a famous astronomer weighs in....