tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post7697072156624175024..comments2023-10-12T02:21:40.102-07:00Comments on English Historical Fiction Authors: A Crusading DukeDebra Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03256313302199653185noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-11094827152200682642013-12-07T07:07:06.255-08:002013-12-07T07:07:06.255-08:00I've always queried whether the Pope did actua...I've always queried whether the Pope did actually give William his blessing before the event of Hastings - or whether he sat on the fence until after the outcome (with dates conveniently altered as propaganda after William won) I can;t see the Pope openly going against England - but that is only my personal feeling. You make a few very good points Carol. One thing that does bug me is this myth that the normans 'civilised' England by bringing their wonderful technology and ability to built abbeys/cathedrals and castles to the poor backward English. England didn't have stone castles because we didn't need them prior to 1066 for defence - we did have a few castles along the Welsh border (Ok timber built, but not very different to the early Norman motte & bailey buildings) as for the cathedrals and abbeys... Harold founded and built Waltham Abbey, Edward built Westminster abbey - I firmly believe that had Harold won England would have built just as many holy buildings as did the Normans!Helen Hollickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292983846350273039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-57777670904329452072013-12-05T13:48:51.309-08:002013-12-05T13:48:51.309-08:00A fantastic post Carol, thank you for posting this...A fantastic post Carol, thank you for posting this interesting article. William was one very lucky man!Paula Loftinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138899684247746388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-22586460014233895792013-12-05T05:57:30.563-08:002013-12-05T05:57:30.563-08:00That sounds interesting too. I shall look for it. ...That sounds interesting too. I shall look for it. The Swan-Daughter brings in the conflict between Robert and his father a bit. I did read a lot on the Gregorian Reform for The Handfasted Wife.Carol McGrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11072696398820339640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-39054766358687762792013-12-05T02:38:02.929-08:002013-12-05T02:38:02.929-08:00Yes, the Normans recognised that an alliance with ...Yes, the Normans recognised that an alliance with the church was a powerful tool, whether by design or fate it certainly aided their cause. This aspect of Norman behaviour is colourfully covered in my book, Robert-The Wayward Prince, in which the shenanigans of the three brothers, Robert, William, and Henry suddenly become concentrated on the task of getting Robert away on the first crusade, you may make your own mind up as to what motives to ascribe to each of these characters as Robert gallops off to fame and eternal salvation. waywardprinceproductionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09169641788036338039noreply@blogger.com