Current Reading: The Bayeux Tapestry and the Norman Invasion (with an introduction and translation by Lewis Thorpe)

Currently reading, The Bayeux Tapestry and the Norman Invasion (with an introduction and translation by Lewis Thorpe). Varied sources that include both Anglo Saxon and Norman sources. I'll list them all here after I've read further.

I'll also start a list of historical literature relevant to the Hastings project.

Bye for now.

Interesting Interpretation of Gate Fulford 1066 with Visual Aid on Youtube

Here it is......

I wasn't aware that Harald Hardrada had any troops hidden(?), I'm going to out on a limb that this was a deliberate group of elite warriors held in reserve given he had a lot of military experience from Scandinavia, Spain and Byzantium?

Free Advice! Don't Ask for Historical Information on Facebook!

Yesterday I dropped a huge clanger when I decided to ask about book recommendations for the Spanish Reconquista, Late 11th to Mid 12th Century.

Why? OK. I must have got several hundred likes by people who, going on some of the inane replies, I have to assume did not read the question at all. With the exception of a few they kept giving me advice on El Cid. anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of the Reconquista will know that Roderigo Diaz de Vivar was not present at Fraga and having been dead for 113 years didn't manage to make it to Las Navas de Tolosa either! :>)

Maybe by adding a few pics of books received in the mail recently the question might have led to the 'appearance' I was asking a different question

Three of the commentators were really good and offered quite legitimate advice which I have taken on board so a huge thank you to those who were willing to give up some of their time and offer guidance.

In general though, I think it goes without saying that I will be avoiding asking similar questions on Facebook again!

 

Perhaps more disturbingly is the move away from what was a thriving fora community to that of the more fleeting dividend that people get, the endorphin 'rush' that we as a species are prone to seeking with a simple "like"! With the possible exception of The Lead Adventure Forum and The Miniatures Page the heady days of getting a detailed answers to ones queries seem to be well and truly gone. This is a loss to us all. Social media culture has truly permeated out hobby to the point that it seems meaningless to ask for advice on the popular Social Media platforms.

Please do not get the impression that I'm some sort of grumpy old man. This is just an observation, made several times over the past few year, but never articulated (by me).

Book recommendations for the Spanish Reconquista Late 11th to mid 12th Century?

I have two battle in mind really; that of Fraga 1134 and Las Navas de Telosa 1212.

I do have a few books on the subject (other than Ospreys) but only one of which is in English, the others being in Spanish of course.

There are some great plates in the books that I've included pics of, especially in the Comic book, 1212 Las Navas de Tolosa

Having said that I'm really looking for something written in English that I can get my teeth into.

Has anyone got any recommendations with the Battle of Fraga and Las Navas de Tolosa particularly in mind?

The El Cid book is great and actually quite informative but unfortunately does not fit my time frame.

And for later on in the year