King Edward, he decided we
Required a Norman heir. Then
The Sovereign sent, and Harold went
To Normandie Sur Mer. When
En-route, he strayed and got waylaid -
From leaving was prevented.
To his rescue, Duc William flew -
Well rode - planes weren't invented!
Then Harold swore he'd try no more
The English crown to gain. He
Then changed his mind, which was unkind
To William, who was plainly
A bit upset, as you'd expect -
Decidedly irate-d.
He crossed the sea to Pevensey,
Dug holes, made tea, and waited.
From way up north, Harold set forth
To meet his adversary.
To wait and rest would have been best,
But bold Harold was, very.
The Battle raged, near Hastings staged,
The outcome undecided.
An arrows flight ended the fight,
And left Harold one-eye-ded
'Twas pre-TV, this History.
Newspapers ne'er reported.
King Will decreed he'd mark this deed.
To needlework resorted.
So monks instead stitched scenes in thread,
A cinematic chorus
On cloth unfold, the tale as told
Nine hundred years before us.
Janet Johnson
