Poem- Harrowing of the North
Norman King

An independent State they cherish
But many lives will perish
For the people of the North
Rebel against the Norman King
They could lose everything
For the freedom of the North
Northern Earls take a chance
To William’s tune they will not dance
Sit tight under York’s holy steeple
King William is not amused
Ready now to light the fuse
Dark times for Northern people
Norman army marches north
Soldiers and cavalry sally forth
To punish Northern people
Rape, plunder and to pillage
Bloodshed found in every village
No pity for Northern people
1070 was that fateful year
That every Northerner had to fear
Starvation for Northern people
No house or field is left unturned
Crops are wasted; fields are burned
Lesson learnt for these poor people
Northern Earls flee in disorder
Finding safety across the border
Independence had lost its zeal
The devastation was so great
Northerners would have to wait
A decade for the scars to heal
- Fascinating book about 1066
1066: Apocalyptic Visions eBook: Paul Bailey: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store