HOUSECARLS - "...One was worth two of Harald's best men..." [Snorri Sturlasson]...... ...........These feared, professional and elite soldiers swore loyalty to their earl or king for whom they would fight to the death if needed.
By 1066 they were a healthy 2-3000 strong in England, largely Anglo-Danish in composition and most youths aspired to join this prestigious elite just as young lads dream about trying to join the similarly feared SAS today. Disdaining shameful surrender, most Housecarls fought ferociously to the death during those bitter and feverish dying moments of a long, brutal day at Santlache, on October 14th 1066..........................................................
............My history forum;- http://www.englistory.co.uk/
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Who I'd like to meet:
To meet or to have met-
Mohammad Ali; Leonardo DaVinci; John Lennon; Salvador Dali; Billy Connolly
Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellow'd to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impair'd the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o'er her face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express How pure, how dear their dwelling place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent!
"Two things," the wise man said, "fill me with awe: The starry heavens and the moral law." Nay, add another wonder to thy roll, -- The living marvel of the human soul!
Born in the dust and cradled in the dark, It feels the fire of an immortal spark, And learns to read, with patient, searching eyes, The splendid secret of the unconscious skies.
So take our thanks, dear reader of the skies, Devout astronomer, most humbly wise, For lessons brighter than the stars can give, And inward light that helps us all to live.
Statue from Camposanto Monumentale. Part of the Pisa Cathedral. Which itself is part of the big architectural complex, called "The Field of Miracles / Piazza dei Miracoli"
Architectural study of the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, USA. Met is considered to belong to the family of the top prestigious museums of the world.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
I kept saying to my kids that Wednesday felt important, like I was missing something. Damn - I was! Happy (albiet late) Birthday to you! I hope you had a lovely day!
It is easy to dwell on the difficult and sad when times seem tough. However, thinking in a more positive way can actually provide health benefits, including reduced risk of coronary heart disease, easier breathing for those with emphysema, and better coping skills.
“It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. But one theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body.” (Positive thinking, Mayo Foundation-MER, May 07)
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” ~ Dr. Seuss
Comments
Nov 19 2009 8:41 PM
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
~~Fina
Nov 11 2009 1:29 PM
German art. 1230-1250
Nov 9 2009 10:09 PM
Nov 1 2009 6:38 AM
Oct 31 2009 2:55 AM
Warm regards this Halloween,
Fina~~
IT'S HALLOWEEN
It's Halloween! It's Halloween!
The moon is full and bright
And we shall see what can't be seen
On any other night.
Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,
Grinning goblins fighting duels,
Werewolves rising from their tombs,
Witches on their magic brooms.
In masks and gowns
we haunt the street
And knock on doors
fortrick or treat.
Tonight we are
the king and queen,
For oh tonight
it's Halloween!
Oct 22 2009 7:48 PM
The starry heavens and the moral law."
Nay, add another wonder to thy roll, --
The living marvel of the human soul!
Born in the dust and cradled in the dark,
It feels the fire of an immortal spark,
And learns to read, with patient, searching eyes,
The splendid secret of the unconscious skies.
So take our thanks, dear reader of the skies,
Devout astronomer, most humbly wise,
For lessons brighter than the stars can give,
And inward light that helps us all to live.
Sending Blessings to you my friend,
Fina~
Oct 14 2009 9:17 AM
Part of the Pisa Cathedral.
Which itself is part of the big architectural complex,
called "The Field of Miracles / Piazza dei Miracoli"
Oct 3 2009 11:15 PM
My dear friend~~
Hoping you are having a lovely weekend,
and wishing you a wonderful new week ahead!
Many blessings~
Fina
Sep 21 2009 11:15 AM
Sep 12 2009 1:10 AM
New York, USA.
Met is considered to belong to the family of the top prestigious
museums of the world.
Sep 11 2009 10:20 PM
Sep 1 2009 12:33 AM
Aug 28 2009 9:05 AM
Aug 22 2009 6:00 AM
For fancy at his lust
Doth rule all but by guess,
Whereto should I then trust
In truth or stedfastness?
Therefore, my lady dear
Set once your fantasy,
To make some hope appear
Of stedfastnes, remedy.
For if he be my friend,
And undertake my woe,
My grief is at an end
If he continue so.
~~Thomas Wyatt
Aug 10 2009 12:31 PM
Aug 2 2009 7:01 AM
Have a wonderful new week ahead my friend!
~~Fina
xox
Jul 24 2009 1:55 PM
Jul 12 2009 10:29 PM
Jul 10 2009 1:39 AM
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost
Wishing you, my friend, a lovely weekend ahead!
~~Fina hugs
Jul 6 2009 11:49 PM
Jun 5 2009 10:19 PM
Fina
xx
Jun 2 2009 5:32 AM
Jun 2 2009 5:19 AM
“It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. But one theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body.” (Positive thinking, Mayo Foundation-MER, May 07)
Fina hug
May 15 2009 2:05 PM
Art of Terje Adler Mørk
May 7 2009 5:00 PM
Fina hugs!
x