Justin Hill

King Knut came back from Rome when Harold was nine. He brought back books and relics; distributed alms at the quayside, and again at the gates of … [Read more...] about Godwinson, Week 7

‘What’s your name?’ ‘Are you simple?’ ‘Can’t you talk?’ ‘Lost your tongue?’ ‘Speak! Come on lad, speak!’ ‘Leave him be. You can’t speak can you … [Read more...] about Godwinson, Week 6

Candlemas came. Frost was thick on the ground and the giants arrived at Bosham for his father’s feast, despite drenching rain. This was Harold’s sixth … [Read more...] about Godwinson, Week 5

Looking back it seemed that the time of giants was as short as childhood. Summer bloomed and failed and with the harvest, Harold’s father took the … [Read more...] about Godwinson, Week 4

Bosham 1024  ‘He’s not coming,’ Harold says as he stands with his brother, Swein at the curve in the track. They are looking up through open fields. … [Read more...] about Godwinson, Week 3

Harald Hardrada lies still and stiff and cold on trestle and board. A crowd jostles to see but those at the front are wary of coming too close. It is … [Read more...] about Godwinson, Week 2

I. A world ended today. It is the autumn of 1066 and on this day we have sown these acres of England with an unseasonal crop. The dead lie as Fate … [Read more...] about Godwinson, Week 1