It is often said that history is written by the victors, but concerning the Norman conquest of England, this has not been the case. I rectify that now.
Who is this man who came to conquer England?
What right has he to that country and crown?
Clearly he’s strong and his will cannot be altered
Clearly he’s bold, by his ruthless renown
Commonly born to an undertaker’s daughter
Bastard and only son of Robert fair
In Norman society this was no great hindrance
William was raised up as Normandy’s heir
Edward was childless and Edward was kin
Edward had promised succession to him
Harold had sworn in a church to uphold
William as heir – Bastard William the Bold
William was raised with his royal exile cousins
While their own mother served as Cnut’s queen
Alfred and Edward (the future Confessor)
Sheltered by Normandy, life in between
At seven years, William assumed his father’s station
Subjects and kin thought to seize their own power
All his protectors were picked off around him
New regents were self-appointed that hour
Edward was childless and Edward was kin
Edward had promised succession to him
Harold had sworn in a church to uphold
William as heir – Bastard William the Bold
Though in his youth he conceded to his regents
A decisive warrior he was at fifteen
With loyal half brothers as closest companions
William constructed his martial machine
Often at odds with the grasping Count of Anjou
And the French King, who feared William’s great might
Anjou had seized Alençon near the border
Hands and feet lost for rebellion that night
Edward was childless and Edward was kin
Edward had promised succession to him
Harold had sworn in a church to uphold
William as heir – Bastard William the Bold
Meanwhile, the exiles had met with differing fortunes
Alfred was murdered and Edward enthroned
Controlled by Godwin and his extended family
The king wished his heir be blood kin of his own
Promises, oaths, were given to Duke William
Perhaps under duress in Harold’s case
Not being English, to William an election
Cannot trump blood kin and oaths and God’s grace
Edward was childless and Edward was kin
Edward had promised succession to him
Harold had sworn in a church to uphold
William as heir – Bastard William the Bold
The Godwins said on his deathbed the King chose Harold
Thus he was chose by the power in the land
The Pope gave his banner out in support of William
A clashing of cultures essentially planned
One fateful day two armies came together
And by the end Harold had lost his life
Whether by arrow or cold assassination
William took England piece by piece, night by night
Edward was childless and Edward was kin
Edward had promised succession to him
Harold had sworn in a church to uphold
William as heir – Bastard William the Bold
The maiming in Alençon was no act of passion
Rather the work of a devious brain
Make an example and all will fall before you
Could this have ended any other way?
©2018 Robin Lea Fritche