Poem- The Last Saxon Shieldwall
Side by side they stood
A famous brotherhood
The Housecarls of the Wall
Held their shield and sword
Gave protection to their Lord
The Housecarls of the Wall
Brutal punishment they’d take
Norman cavalry tried to shake
Those soldiers from the Wall
Sally forth and then retreat
Different tactics tried to beat
Those soldiers from the Wall
Norman destrier and Knight
Tried with all their might
To breach that Saxon Wall
Farmer, commoner and Thegn
Bound together and retained
That Anglo-Saxon Wall
For many hours it did stand
Parry, thrust and then backhand
Fought the soldiers of the Wall
Norman arrow, sword and lance
Took their aim for half a chance
To pierce that solid Wall
Norman infantry feigned retreat
William’s horse did him unseat
Loud cheers sang from the Wall
Saxons chased them down the hill
Norman cavalry them did kill
A hole appeared in the Wall
No quarter did they give
Their honour just to live
Those heroes of the Wall
Just survive the day
Reinforcements on their way
Those heroes of the Wall
Many hours did take its toll
Now fewer numbers on the knoll
Stood the finest Saxon Wall
The fittest and the brave
On their own did try to save
The finest Saxon Wall
Senlac Ridge was where
King Harold did prepare
That final Saxon Wall
In Hasting’s autumn sun
Died there one by one
The final Saxon Wall
Many corpses lay around
That final killing ground
Of Senlac’s Saxon Wall
Heaven’s Angels for them sing
A tribute to them all
1066 Apocalyptic Visions
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