ANGLO-SAXON ENGLAND

Medical histories of the English Royalty through history

Huscarl — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:02:03 GMT

Pre-Norman kings (reigned before 1066)

Harthacanute - Sudden death at a wedding feast at age 25, where he did not/could not speak for a short span before "suddenly dropping down". Would this suggest a cardiac problem?

Edward the Confessor - When examined 23 years after death, his body had not decomposed.

His flesh was said to be "firm and pure as crystal, whiter than snow" and his beard was "white as frost."

Poisoning with some heavy metals, such as antimony, ...

Hello

Leofwine — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:43:42 GMT

Hello all.

A few years ago I watched a mini-documentary about the Battle of Hastings. It made me curious and I read a book about it believing it would satisfy the curiosity and I could move on to other subjects. Wrong. After more than 60 books and my curiosity/interest in the subject has not been sated. I've had to visit the great sites of Hastings/Battle, Bosham and Waltham. I even made a friend trudge the farmland around Stamford with me on a cold December day but it was well worth ...

Saxon greetings

Thorvald — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:50:41 GMT

Hello folks,

Iam a Dutchman of Saxon descent. As you might know, the Saxon people inhabited Northern Germany, North-East Netherlands and England.

Iam interested in Germanic issues, and Saxons in particulary.

This site is just excellent.

Keep up the good work

Earl Edwin of Mercia

Uhtred — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:03:16 GMT

We know Earl Edwin, son of the twice-exiled 'traitor' Earl Aelfgar (who had allied himself with the renegade Welsh King Gruffydd) was killed in 1071, during the great rebellion at Ely, where his own brother Earl Morcar was fighting alongside Hereward the Wake.

But where was Edwin and what was he trying to do? Who exactly killed him and at what stage of the revolt?

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, laconic as ever, simply says;-

"This year Earl Edwin and Earl Morkar fled out [sic- of Ely ...

Calm King Cnut?

Aelfina — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:15:56 GMT

I have heard mixed reviews for this king. Yet it cannot go unremarked that King Cnut gave England almost 30 years of peace from foreign invasion.

For the English people, King Cnut's reign from 1017 to 1035 was much like the month of March, "in like a lion and out like a lamb". Crowned in the turmoil of war and conquest, Cnut quickly established an era of peace and prosperity. England became so secure that Cnut could frequently leave the country to settle affairs elsewhere in his ...

hi from australia

anglosaxonmaninoz — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:38:20 GMT

greetings from down under

i am a new member , living in perth west australia

originally english by birth , i have been living here for 18 years now

i try to keep true to my saxon heritage in a multicultural world

i am a self employed telephone tech and my business emblem is the white dragon that flew so proudly in the saxon shield walls

i am a dark ages re enactor with a medieval group here and i also teach , adults and children in my own club and at a gym medieval sword techniques ...

The Churchill you didn't know...

Huscarl — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:14:08 GMT

Many thousands deservedly voted him the "Greatest Briton" in a national TV poll a few years ago - but did they most likely didn't know about his views on the Poles, Czechs, Hitler, Mahatmar Gandhi, gassing of civilian tribes... and the Jews...but I suppose we must take each quote in their full context and generation?

I do not understand the squeamishness about the use of gas. I am strongly in favour of using poisonous gas against uncivilised tribes (in Iraq?).

Writing as president of the ...

Another newbie

aelmaer — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:48:09 GMT

Hello all, another introduction. I'm from Liverpool, a history graduate, aspiring (errr...well somewhat) author, connoissuer of all things Bernard Cornwell, and general dark-ageophile (Is that a word?) It's great to finally be able to talk to other people with similar intersts, without being viewed as a history nerd. Oh wait, I am a history nerd. Well as someone once said (probably a history nerd), you can't predict the future until you understand the past, and I predict if I dont stop typing ...

Being fair to Duke/King William

Huscarl — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:17:37 GMT

I know- me of all people, seeking some fair quality/ies in this noted hardman?

Not forgetting the many overt acts and campaigns of savage barbarity he ordered and committed- not least the 'harrying of the north' 1069-70 (and the atrocities at Romney, Peterborough and Exeter)- but having read through a plethora of accounts via the many primary sources (Poitiers; Jumieges; Malmesbury; Vitalis etc) there seem to be a few examples where the notoriously hard duke was actually fairly magnanimous ...

King Alfred saved "England"

Huscarl — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:25:44 GMT

In 865 the innumerable viking longships of the 'Great Army' invaded England (landing in E.Anglia) led by Ivar 'the Boneless', his brothers Halfdan and Ubba (sons of the notorious Ragnar Lothbrok- legend says he was killed by Northumbrian king Aelle, throwing him in a pitful of poisonous snakes) and an array of junior commanders such as Guthrum and Anwend.

This superarmy proceeded to brutally subdue all of England, leaving only Wessex that had not submitted by 868, when Ivar split the army ...

Introduction

Lillith — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:38:53 GMT

Hello everyone....brand new to this site and still learning how to use it! I've always been a HUGE medeival history buff and constantly devour book after book of historical fiction. I've just recently started to read about this time period and find it absolutely fascinating. I've always wondered how the Normans got to England and now I know! I'm not a big expert on this time period, just beginning to learn, and that's why I wanted to join...I try to find as much information as possible on ...

The fate of Eric Bloodaxe

Huscarl — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:49:50 GMT

This fearsome Norse king of Jorvik, having just been ousted (again) from York by the local nobles and mighty cleric Wulfstan, under threat of having the region utterly ravaged again by Wessex King Edred, was slain "treacherously" in battle in 954 on the desolate N.Yorkshire moors "in a certain lonely place called Stainmore..."

Apparently, a coalition of Northumbrians(House of bamburgh) under earl Oswulf, the Cumbrians and the Dublin-Norse had 'ambushed' Erik. He had clearly ...

Another introduction

Triarius — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:16:43 GMT

Hi!

I'm from Sweden (So you have to excuse my english from time to time =P ), just graduated from high school, and I'm a hopeless history geek. I'm especially interested in the roman empire, but these days I've become more and more interested in anglo-saxon culture (Around King Alfred and 1000-1066), although I don't have any special knowlege on the subject. That's basicly why I'm here, I hope that I will be wiser when I've been here a while!

Looking forward to the stay!

/Triarius

Summer Solstice

Hodekin — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 09:53:42 GMT

I would just like to wish all of our members (regardless of faith or non faith) a very happy Solstice.

Hodekin

Earl Godwin's children...

Huscarl — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:20:12 GMT

According to the different sources, there were between 9 and 12 issue of Earl Godwin and his second wife, the Danish noblewoman Gytha (niece of Canute?), whom he married in c.1020, a year after Thyra (Canute's sister) died.

Godwin honoured his lord and benefactor, Canute (and once brother-inlaw) by naming his first son Swein after Canute's father, Harold after Gytha's Great grandfather and Wulfnoth after his own father, Wulfnoth Cild.

The list from eldest to youngest generally accepted, ...

Harold Haroldson

KingPenda — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:01:59 GMT

King Harold son, Harold, by his Queen Ealdgyth, was born in 1067 after his father's death. When Chester fell to William I, Alditha fled to Dublin taking Harold with her. Ultimately young Harold journeyed to Norway. Here, so the chronicler William of Malmesbury tells us, he was received well by King Magnus. The reception we are told, was the result of King Harold's mercy to Magnus after the defeat of the Viking army at Stamford Bridge. Harold next appears amongst the followers of King Magnus off ...

King Harold II's greatness

Huscarl — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 11:00:22 GMT

Harold Godwinson became king in January 1066, and with the ridiculous farce of the supposed Norman "oath" of 1064 fresh in his mind, he knew that the only way to save the nation at that time was to take the available kingship himself.

He simply took the reins of a threatened and uncertain nation when the desperate times were 'right' for strong and proven leadership (then still under invasion threat from Tostig, duke William, the unsuspected Hardraada, and maybe others?)

Whatever ...

Greetings All!

Lady_of_Bloomfield — Thu, 22 May 2008 06:44:17 GMT

Greetings All,

Just thought that I should introduce myself. I'm an undergraduate student of Medieval Studies. I still have a lot to learn and this forum seems like a great way to expand on what I've studied in a fun and more personal environment outside of a classroom.

I also wanted to say hello to Christine Love and Wulfhild! They both introduced me to this site and I wouldn't have known about this site otherwise. And also to Melisend, who I see is also listed here!

Lady_of_Bloomfield ...

A Warrior Named Arthur

Aelfina — Sat, 17 May 2008 06:17:54 GMT

If the Welsh monk Nennius can be believed? A warrior named Arthur - "together with the kings of the Britons" - led the resistance to the invaders. Writing his History of the Britons about the year 826, Nennius listed 12 battles in which Arthur vanquished the barbarians. In his last victory he personally slew 960 of the enemy.

With the story of Arthur so widespread and enduring, it was inevitable that scientists would eventually seek to strip away the literary adornments and establish the ...

Victorian Heroes

Aelfwine — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:49:55 GMT

Who do you think was worthy of note during the Victorian era /Oh yes, let`s make this international, not just Brish imperial history.

I will choose Garnet Wolseley the man who modernised and reformed the British Army. Incidentally, he actually met, and was a great admirer of Robert E. Lee.

All time heroes...and why?

Huscarl — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:40:48 GMT

Who is/are your own all-time heroes, ancient or modern, and why?

What traits do they possess that you admire, or achievements that inspire you? I'll go first into the fray...(my own personal opinions only, of course!)

Harold II - brave, popular, loyal, strong and capable diplomat and warrior.

Mohamed Ali - Incredible athlete, mega-gifted fighter, intelligent, razor-sharp humour, extremely witty social activist.

The Beatles - Innovative, highly-creative and industrious writers and ...

Edmund Ironside (1016)

Huscarl — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:58:02 GMT

What kind of a king Edmund might have he proved to have been- an Athelstan? Or an Edgar?

This redoubtable warrior prince became king upon the death of his hapless father Ethelred II (who died on St. George's Day, 1016!!) but had "rebelled" against his own father's wishes by 'abducting' and marrying the landed widow of earldorman Siegferth (and his earl brother Morcar), who had been slain by Ethelred recently (upon Eadric's connivance?).

During desperate times of Danish invasions (during ...

Henry II- The Lion

KingPenda — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:41:42 GMT

Good King or Bad King?

what did he do right and what did he do wrong? did he ride his luck?

Why didnt he conquer France rather than pay Homage?

its up to you,what do you think of him?

Richard II

KingPenda — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:16:32 GMT

Inept or the victim of Lancastrian Propaganda?

The tragic figure of Richard II,sometimes billed as inept as Edward II or as tyrannical as King John two other misunderstood figures of English History

Whilst Richard wasnt the warrior of his father the Black Prince or his Grandfather Edward III was he totally a failure in war?

Good King or Bad King? its up to you

Egbert's Few Anglo-Saxons

Aelfina — Sat, 10 May 2008 07:17:13 GMT

Egbert is one of the few fellow Englishmen that Bede specifically called a saint in his History. The entry in the chronological summary actually calls him �St. Egbert�; he is the only one so designated in the summary. The entry in the Greater Chronicle is the most remarkable considering how few Anglo-Saxons Bede records there. Bede is a little odd in which Englishmen (and women) he includes in the Greater Chronicle: Kings Aethelfrith and Aelle, Aethelberht and Edwin, and saints Aethelthryth ...

Another noob.

Galloglaich — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:06:05 GMT

Hi all,

Member of the English diaspora here with more Angle/Norse than Saxon ancestry, but not ruling anything out! Here by invitation and happy to learn.

Thomas Jefferson and The Anglo-Saxon Connection

Aelfwine — Sun, 04 May 2008 21:47:14 GMT

I`ve recently read that Thomas Jefferson was an admirer of the Anglo-Saxons. In 1776 he sat on a committee to deliberate the design of the Great Seal of the new country, and what the inscription it should carry. This was Jefferson`s suggestion:

"The children of Israel in the wilderness, led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night; and on the other side, Hengist and Horsa, the Saxon Chiefs from whom we claim the honour of being descended and whose political principals and form ...

Just arrived!

Aelfina — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:32:31 GMT

Hi everyone! I hope I'm posting in the correct area. Well, this board is certainly going to be a great learning experience. There's an entire 'shloooo' of new topics to think about!

Plot to assassinate Athelstan?

Uhtred — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 18:06:14 GMT

After his mighty father Edward the Elder had died, Mercia elected Athelstan to kingship, but Wessex held out. In this 'gap' period, there may have been a revolt against Athelstan, which is little documented in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

According to charter evidence, Athelstan's coronation, at Kingston on Thames, did not take place until 4th September 925. As this was several months after Edward�s death, was there an unmentioned W,Saxon king, the eldest son by Edward�s first queen � Aelfweard, ...

The Character Of The King

Aelfwine — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:49:55 GMT

King Edward seems to me to have been rather dour. He was a soldier- brave, efficient and seemingly uncomplicated. He was a man of action, a man`s man, and as such he must have been readily acceptable to the warriors brought up in the hard school of the Danish wars. He also seems to me to have been a stern man , feared and respected than loved. Not for him, it seems, were scholarly studies and matters of the church of much interest unlike his father and indeed his illustious son the great King ...