Ode to the Perils of Yorkshire Coast (1066 A.D.)

Three hundred sails
(That of a Norwegian fleet)
Appeared off the Yorkshire Coast (1066 A.D.)
Ravaged the inland some…

The English King (Harold)
Hearing of this—headed north
To face the invasion: the Wind
On his sails, this served him well!

Thus, the English King
Arrived in York in time to prevent a
Pervading disaster!

The battle was fierce—Viking
And Englishmen…hewed at each other
Over the war bloodied ground

—until,
The Norse Army was annihilated

(Which no Anglo-Saxon chronicle can deny
Or defend?...)

Exterminated them like infected mice;
As the few who escaped, with their lives
Fled on only twenty-four ships!

Note: 3258 (11-9-2011)