All of those accounts resembled each other more than I thought they would. I somehow thought each person would have his own account, perhaps with himself as the hero at the centre of the story, but no. Such convergence must be very satisfying for a historian...and for anyone else who sometimes worries that history might be just a lot of Just So stories.
Ha, yes, I was surprised by how close they were in general – though Grim seems to have rather dramatised his own role (notwithstanding his bravery, of course). And they vary a bit about who struck which blow when, which isn't surprising in a terrifying and confusing situation.
This is fascinating, and useful to get some of the various accounts all in one place. If it's of any interest, I wrote a piece on Becket here; there are a few more related posts if you dig around a bit... https://branchlines.org/2023/11/29/the-currency-of-love/ Wishing you well with the walk.
Ooh, thanks Jim. I'll read that tonight. And just seen The Shrine Way at your website – interesting! (I am very doggedly doing Watling Street all the way down the grim A2 instead of the much nicer PW!)
All of those accounts resembled each other more than I thought they would. I somehow thought each person would have his own account, perhaps with himself as the hero at the centre of the story, but no. Such convergence must be very satisfying for a historian...and for anyone else who sometimes worries that history might be just a lot of Just So stories.
Ha, yes, I was surprised by how close they were in general – though Grim seems to have rather dramatised his own role (notwithstanding his bravery, of course). And they vary a bit about who struck which blow when, which isn't surprising in a terrifying and confusing situation.
This is fascinating, and useful to get some of the various accounts all in one place. If it's of any interest, I wrote a piece on Becket here; there are a few more related posts if you dig around a bit... https://branchlines.org/2023/11/29/the-currency-of-love/ Wishing you well with the walk.
Ooh, thanks Jim. I'll read that tonight. And just seen The Shrine Way at your website – interesting! (I am very doggedly doing Watling Street all the way down the grim A2 instead of the much nicer PW!)
Yes, well, I can't help but wonder what Watling Street was like back in the day - fair play for braving it!
Thanks! Another one coming in two weeks, once my own Canterbury tale is over.