Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria
Friday, May 11, 2012
In 1075 Waltheof joined the Revolt of the Earls against William. His motives for taking part in the revolt are unclear, as is the depth of his involvement. However he repented, confessing his guilt first to Archbishop Lanfranc and then in person to William, who was at the time in Normandy. He returned to England with William but was arrested, brought twice before the king's court and sentenced to death.He spent almost a year in confinement before being beheaded on May 31, 1076 at St. Giles's Hill, near Winchester. He was said to have spent the months of his captivity in prayer and fasting. Many people believed in his innocence and were surprised when the execution was carried out. His body was initially thrown in a ditch, but was later retrieved and was buried in the chapter house of Croyland Abbey.In 1092, after a fire in the chapter house, the abbot had Waltheof’s body moved to a prominent place in the abbey church. When the coffin was opened, it is reported that the corpse was found to be intact with the severed head re-joined to the trunk. This was regarded as a miracle, and the abbey, which had a financial interest in the matter began to publicise it. As a result, pilgrims began to visit Waltheof’s tomb.After a few years healing miracles were reputed to occur in the vicinity of Waltheof’s tomb, often involving the restoration of the pilgrim’s lost sight.Waltheof also became the subject of popular media, heroic but inaccurate accounts of his life being preserved in the Vita et Passio Waldevi comes, a Middle English Waltheof saga, since lost, and the Anglo-Norman Waldef.
THE WINTER MANTLE
SYNOPSIS :
REVIEW :
well..this was the first Elizabeth Chadwick which has ever disappointed. The story was stretched beyond belief and Chadwick lost the essence of the story after the first 6 chapters or so. But just for your information I will post a little tidbit about Earl Waltheof, the only Saxon to have ever been killed for treason during the Conqueror's time .
THE YOUNG VICTORIA
WOW !! This is like one of the best movies I've seen in a while. You know, one of those movies which leave you with this amazing tingling feeling that doesnt leave you for a while. Yep, this is one of the thooose movies .
IT showcases the inner turmoil of Victoria, young, naive and the only heir to the English Throne. But from the cage of her stifling childhood, rises a young ambitious poltical adroit destined to be England's longest ruling monarch . And add to that her carefully orchestrated romance with Prince Albert and we probably have the best historical romance in a decade !!
Chime in your thoughts
THE WILD HUNT
SYNOPSIS :
In the wild, windswept Welsh marches a noble young lord rides homewards, embittered, angry and in danger. He is Guyon, lord of Ledworth, heir to threatened lands, husband-to-be of Judith of Ravenstow. Their union will save his lands - but they have yet to meet...For this is Wales at the turn of the twelfth century. Dynasties forge and fight, and behind the precarious throne of William Rufus political intrigue is raging. Caught amidst the violence are Judith and Guyon, bound together yet poles apart. But when a dark secret from the past is revealed and the full horror of war crashes over Guyon and Judith, they are forced to face insurmountable odds. Together..
Wow !! This is another masterpiece form Elizabeth Chadwick. In her usual buoyant style, Chadwick takes us into the wild , wild, wild welsh marches which were the action scene of soo many wars fought in history. What is especially loved about this book is the heroine : Judith. Judith is a gem . She is saucy, knows sword fighting, defies convention and all in all the total an thesis of a demure medieval child bride. I love how her relationship blossomed with Guy and how together they faced the onslaughts of other political schemers
BOOK REVIEW : TO DEFY A KING
TO DEFY A KING :
SYNOPSIS
The privileged daughter of one of the most powerful men in England, Mahelt Marshal’s life changes dramatically when her father is suspected by King John. Her brothers become hostages and Mahelt is married to Hugh Bigod, heir to the earldom of Norfolk. Adapting to her new life is hard, but Mahelt comes to love Hugh deeply; however, defying her father in law brings disgrace and heartbreak. When King John sets out to subdue the Bigods, Mahelt faces her worst fears alone, knowing neither she, nor her marriage are likely to survive the outcome. A story of huge emotional power set against the road to Magna Carta and the fight to bring a tyrant king to heel
I loved , absolutely loved this book. Never before have I read an Historical semi-fiction which takes readers to another time so thoroughly. I could literally smell the smells, see the sights, touch the characters, visualize their expressions . Mahelt's emotions were vividly written about . You could almost feel her pain and disillusionment at being caught between supporting her married family as a dutiful daughter-in-law and trying to help her birth family.
TO all historical lovers, this book is a keepsake !! it's a powerful love story set in the times of political adroites, cunning schemers and everyone is vying for one thing :BEING IN THE KING"S GOOD BOOKS .
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