This Tuesday night saw the return of regular training for 2015. We've decided to keep playing in the park for February, and we'll look to return to an inside venue from March. There is currently some uncertainty as to the venue, so stay tuned.
On this day in 962, Otto the Great was crowned Roman Emperor.
Born on the 23rd of November 912, Otto was the eldest son of King Heinrich the Fowler (remember him?). Heinrich was keen to improve his standing, so he had Otto married to Eadgyth, daughter of Aethelstan of England. Otto earned his spurs at a young age, and on Heinrich's death was made King of Germany.
Pope Celestine V abdicated on this Day in 1294.
Normally, Popes only give up the triple crown when it's pried from their cold, dead hands; but every few centuries one gives it up voluntarily.
We finished off the year with our best "Fight Night" yet, with seven combatants including one new authorisation, and one visitor from Christchurch. After some warm-ups, we rotated pairs (single rapier, single kill) until everyone had fought everyone else, then a straight king-of-the-hill. After a break for water, we continued the king-of-the-hill format, but with any weapons combinations. Hopefully, this got us into the right frame of mind for the Baronial Rapier Championship on the Sunday.
On this day in 511 died Clovis, King of the Franks.
On this day in 1035 died Cnut the Great.
In some ways Cnut had it easy, as far as conquerors go. His father, the awesomely named Sweyn Forkbeard, had already conquered England for him. However, when Sweyn died, Cnut's brother, Harald, got Denmark; and England south of the Danelaw rebelled. Aethelred Unraed returned from exile in
Normandy and Cnut fled.
Today is Martinmas.
Martinmas was one of the most important days in the medieval calendar, effectively being the start of Advent.
St Martin was born in Pannonia in 316. Following family tradition he joined the army, which sent him to Gaul. There he performed his most famous act: seeing a beggar freezing in the street, Martin sliced his own cloak in two, giving one half to the beggar. Whilst some laughed to see Martin in his ruined cloak, others were shamed by their own failure to act. That night, in a dream, Martin saw Jesus wearing the half
On this day in 877 died Karl the Bald. Karl (Charles) was a grandson of Charlemagne (Big Charles), the son of Ludwig the Pious and his second wife Judith of Bavaria. As the youngest son, his arrival caused some trouble regarding inheritance. After some fighting and premature death, Ludwig's empire was divided amongst Karl, who got (more or less) France, Ludwig the German, who got (more or less) Germany (der!) and the Emperor Lothar, who got the bit in between: the land between the Rhone and the Rhine (Lotharingia = Lorraine).
And now for one of my very favourite stories. Pope Formosus was elected on this day in 891. Formosus' ecclesiastical career had enjoyed mixed fortune. Made Cardinal Bishop of Portus in 864 he was denounced for treachery in 872 and excommunicated. Nevertheless, Formosus is connected to today's other story, for it was he who persuaded Karl the Bald to be crowned as emperor by John VIII in 875.
Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Stamford Bridge (1066). Harold Godwinson was king of England, and Harald Hardrada was king of Norway (seriously, check out this guy's biography: he went everywhere and fought everyone!). So on one side was Harold, and on the other side Harald. Clear?
