Britons and Celts

Britons and Celts

A Picture of Victory

March 1, 2022 Saxo

“You are surely not fitly placed here among the dead. Many an Englishman lies bloody and mingled with the dead, but yet sound, or only wounded and besmeared with gore; tarrying of his own accord, and meaning to rise at night, and escape in the darkness. They would delight to take their revenge, and would sell their lives dearly; no one of them caring who killed him afterwards, if he but slew a Norman first; for they say we have done them much wrong.” […]

Britons and Celts

The Archbishop Who Refused to Have Sex

February 12, 2022 Saxo

“When confined by sickness, he was ordered by his physicians, as the sole means of removing his disorder, to partake of sexual intercourse. His friends pressed him to comply, alleging that God could not possibly be offended, as he did it merely as a remedy, and not for sensual gratification.” […]

Britons and Celts

Death and then Dishonor

February 1, 2022 Saxo

“All marvelled that this great king, who had conquered so much, and won so many cities, and so many castles, could not call so much land his own as his body might lie within after death.” […]

Britons and Celts

An Obituary for the Ages

January 11, 2022 Saxo

“The man, indeed, who had been hired, at great expense, to extract the brain, became infected, as it is said, from the intolerable stench, and died; and thus, as the body of the departed Elisha reanimated the dead, so Henry’s dead body gave death to the living.” […]

Britons and Celts

Poor Men Sorely Swinked

January 1, 2022 Saxo

“Wa-la-wa! that any man should be so moody, so to upheave himself, and think himself above all other men! May almighty God have mild-heartedness on his soul, and give him forgiveness of his sins!” […]

Britons and Celts

Dreams of Merlin

December 14, 2021 Saxo

“The Fox will devour its mother and then put on an Ass’s head. Once it has assumed this monstrous guide, it will terrify its brothers and drive them away to Normandy. In that country they will in their turn stir up the tusky Boar. Back they will come in a boat and in that way, they will meet the Fox once more.” […]