The kill was near, static prey in sight
The Duke could not withhold delight
White hart now locked firm in his view
Unaware of missile speeding through
The silent copse of Beech and mast
To it’s target now closing fast
Until the thunder of snorting destrier
Alerts the prey of danger near
Immediately darts to safety’s keep
Hidden from harm in thicket deep
Messenger dismounts in fear and alarm
Presents the Duke news from afar
With reddening face and veins ice blue
William screams, “This can’t be true!”
Edward is dead, Harold now King
Promises made don’t mean anything
Vengeance burning in his smouldering eyes
William’s fury fixed on his new prize
Capture the Crown from Harold’s hands
With God’s help he’ll make a stand
The hunt now over, invasion is planned
Men, horses and ships William will demand
Invasion is ready September 1066
A colossal armada of six hundred ships
Wait for the wind to blow in their favour
Crossing the Channel not many will savour
Nature relents as if signalling green light
The Normans are coming to take up the fight
Saxon navy is waiting to give them a blow
Norman fleet is harried their progress is slow
At last they arrive safely, camp on England’s shore
Anglo-Saxons in danger like never before
No welcoming army to send them back forth
Harold’s fighting the Vikings way up in the North
Normans build their defences and search the terrain
Plunder and pillage the name of their game
Harold defeats the Norsemen, so marches back south
His intention to give William a smack in the mouth
Tired Saxons meet invaders and get ready for battle
England’s Crown to be decided in a field fit for cattle
Both armies are fighting for honour and glory
The Battle of Hastings now that’s quite a story