On this day in 1066 Edgar the Ætheling became King!

History! On this day in 1066, Edgar the Ætheling was pronounced King of England, indeed, he was the last in the line of Saxon Kings of England, being the last male descendant in direct line from Edmund Ironside (Edmund II). Image above thanks to BBC.

Although he was never crowned, Edgar was King until 10th December 1066, when William the Bastard (as he was known in those days) took him into custody. Indeed, as natural heir, Edgar should have been King since January 1066, but he was considered too young then, and war was being faced. Instead, Harold Godwinson was chosen as King by the Witenagemot; the Council of the Anglo-Saxon Kings of England that had existed for over 400 years.

Edgar escaped capture in 1068, and led a very eventful life, living into his 70s. Looking him up is well worth the read; eg see the English Monarchs website.

Seafront Saunter

I had a wander along the seafront to West Marina Gardens earlier, and back to the town centre, but the statue of Harold Godwinson and Edith Swan-neck reminded me of a blog I wrote 9 years ago, plus follow-ups. I wonder if Harold did live...

Oh yes, and Hastings Pier is closed, what a surprise! 😒

And, I meant to say recently, but forgot to report, that since it's grand refurbishment and reopening (blog), HMV is closed again for refurbishment, floods, eh!?!

Walking along the Seafront, Where's the Snow?

What a difference a day or two makes, another walk along the seafront yesterday, but the snow has mostly disappeared since Friday; see my blog from earlier in the week if you haven't already got bored with photographs of snow! Me, standing on Hastings Pier and looking eastwards, obviously... 😉

Flags on the Pier: Top Left, William the Conqueror (familiarly known at the time as William the Bastard); Bottom Left, Harold Godwinson (runner up at Battle of Hastings); Bottom Right, the Sussex Flag (Martlets); Top Right, the Welsh Flag which was raised on 1st March (St David's Day) to replace the flag of Harald Hardrada, who was runner up, and died, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Many thanks to Peter Wheeler and Steve Wilkins for explaining the significance of the flags, cheers!

Beach Huts & Pier

I've missed this for ages, and only found it yesterday, this 'montage' when I walked around to the sea side, and back of, the newer refreshment kiosk on the Upper Promenade between the Pier and Warrior Square, gulls, venues and local musicians, notably Liane Carroll can be seen through the 'window' of the Jenny Lind!

Palace Court

Looking up at the West Hill and the first stone castle built by the Normans in Britain, Hastings Castle (previous blog), with the wonderful, nearly 200 years old, St Mary in the Castle (previous blog, and the lease has since been passed to the Trust) and Pelham Crescent below.

Looking across at the Fishermen's Beach, with the East Hill and Hastings Country Park Local Nature Reserve in the background (website).

Walking through to Rock-a-Nore Road and I couldn't miss taking another photograph of this, very often photographed, retired fishing boat, RX134 Stacie Marie (see blog); seriously, I've seen her photographed and filmed too many times to mention!

So, what do you do next, well, I was thirsty, so popped I into the Cinque Ports Arms in All Saints Street (facebook page), civil discourse, ale and a great value sandwich!

This Day in 1066, Edgar becomes King!

Just to confuse matters, on this day in 1066, Edgar the Ætheling was pronounced King of England, indeed, he was the last in the line of Saxon Kings of England, being the last male descendant in direct line from Edmund Ironside (Edmund II). 

Although he was never crowned, Edgar was King until 10th December 1066, when William the Bastard (as he was known in those days) had him taken into custody. Indeed, Edgar should have been King since January 1066, but, because he was young and war was being faced, Harold Godwinson had been chosen as King by the Witenagemot., the council (Wise Men) of the Anglo-Saxon Kings of England for more than 400 years...

Edgar escaped capture in 1068, and led a very eventful life, living into his 70s. Looking him up is well worth the read; eg see this website.

Hastings Weeks kicks off this weekend!

Hastings Week 2016 (8th to the 16th October) kicks off on Saturday with its opening ceremony up at the Castle; marching units meet at West Hill Cafe at 10.30, and the parade commences at 10.50 for the short distance to the Castle, starting a week commemorating the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings! There will be walks, talks, tea and coffee and, well take a look at their website if you haven't already procured a copy of the free programme (try pubs, shops, the tourist centre if lacking said programme).

And, if you weren't aware, Saturday the 8th is also World Octopus Day, which, of course, will be celebrated at the Blue Reef Aquarium, towards the end of Rock-a-Nore Road (website). At noon there will be a talk and demonstration of feeding the aquarium's resident Giant Pacific Octopus, Count Oswald, and younger visitors can join the Octo-trail and create designs relating to Octopus Day.

Of course there is much more to do and visit, eg the Pier, Hastings Fishermens Museum and the Shipwreck Museum, both close by the aquarium, Hastings Museum and Art Gallery in Bohemia Road, Parks and Miniature Railway, Fair, etc etc... Have fun!

Harold Godwinson lived? Update...

I have discussed before amateur historian Peter Burke's theory that Harold didn't die in 1066, but lived for another 40 years. I have been in touch with him again recently, and he confirms that a body was found buried where he was searching at Waltham Abbey, however, English Heritage wouldn't give permission for an excavation.

Peter still believes in his theory and the early 12th century document he found at the British Museum, the Vita Harold, and has had another television documentary recorded, which he expects to be aired on the History Channel, probably next year. For now, though, Harold appears to remain an enigma... 

Harold Godwinson update

In January I reported that, on the 948th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, a scan was carried out at Waltham Abbey in Essex looking for evidence to re-write the history books and help prove that Harold Godwinson (Harold II) had survived the battle.  

The Norman Story

Novelist and amateur historian Peter Burke had asserted that Harold recovered from his wounds of the battle and lived for another 40 years. This theory being based on an early 12th Century document, Vita Harold, that is stored in the British Library.

The scan was carried out by the same team who, 2 years ago, helped to locate the remains of Richard III that were buried under a car park in Leicester, and which were reburied at Leicester Cathedral on Thursday.

Peter Burke has now got back to me and, in his own words, “the scan was positive”. He is having a meeting with the head of English Heritage on Tuesday, to request permission to dig at the abbey.

Any further discovery may, or may not, support Peter's theory, or may even create further questions, we await developments...

Harold Godwinson

Back in October, I wrote an article for the Hastings Independent about research being undertaken to find the final resting place of Harold Godwinson, King Harold II of England, here is an update, as such, and a revamped version... 

On the 948th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, a scan was carried out at Waltham Abbey in Essex looking for evidence to re-write the history books and help prove that Harold Godwinson (Harold II) had survived the battle. 

Novelist and amateur historian Peter Burke believes that Harold recovered and lived for another 40 years, his theory being based on an early 12th Century document, Vita Harold, stored at the British Library. This document states that an old pilgrim called 'Christian' declared on his death bed that he was 'Harold Godwinson'.  

The Vita Harold was written by a novice priest who took the last rites of the older man. Mr Burke, whose trilogy, 'The Promise' is based on this premiss, believes that Harold had been "hidden in Winchester and brought back to health by a Moorish nurse. He tried to raise an army in Germany, but couldn't raise sufficient support, and he spent the rest of his life travelling as a pilgrim."

The scan was carried out by the same team that helped to locate the remains of Richard III under a car park in Leicester 2 years ago, and the results were said to be available within a week. However, no results have been published yet.  

As I said before, though, even if they do find the remains of a headless figure there, this would still be inconclusive, as they could be the remains of a fellow knight falsely identified by his common-law wife, Edith Swannesha, to hide the fact he had been taken away to another location, or even of one of Harold's 2 brothers, also said to have been buried at Waltham Abbey.  

A previous attempt to prove that Harold was buried secretly by the sea, as 'William the Bastard' decreed (the contemporary name of William the Conqueror), was turned down in 2003, when the Chichester Diocese Consistory Court refused permission to re-open a tomb that had been mistakenly opened in 1954 at Holy Trinity Church in Bosham, West Sussex. A coroner had examined the bones in 1954, which were said to be missing the head, the right leg and part of the left leg, the same injuries suggested by alternative legends to his being shot in the eye.

Statue in Marina Gardens, St Leonards

The Chancellor of the Diocese of Chichester, the Worshipful Mark Hill, said that he was far from satisfied with the proposal, it was a "matter of conjecture whether any human remains will be found in the coffin; such remains as may be found are highly unlikely to be those of Harold since the vast preponderance of academic opinion points to him having been buried at Waltham Abbey."

The research continues, though, and we eagerly await the latest results. I previously conjectured that the head and legs may be at Waltham Abbey, and the rest of the body at Bosham, but we'll have to wait to find out! 

I have contacted Peter Burke for an update, and he told me "the scan went well. the results will be revealed through the up-coming documentary on Harold in the spring."

The wait goes on... 

6th January 1066

On this day in 1066, Harold Godwinson was crowned King of England, Harold II, following the death of Edward the Confessor the previous day...

... and we all know where that got us, more of very soon!