Now on Spotify etc! This is an original song I wrote and performed in Old English. Ever since I was a mere boy growing up in England and speaking English, the Norman Conquest has bothered me greatly. The main reason for this is that I find Old English to be such an incredibly rich, beautiful language. The Norman Conquest really spelled the end of English staying deeply and conservatively connected to its West Germanic roots, with so many wonderful words being expelled from the language. Harold Godwinson has, as a result, always been something of a hero of mine. I’ve called him “The Last King of the English” in this song as his demise saw the end of Anglo-Saxon kingship. The odds he was up against are incredible; he had to march across the whole of England, from London to Stamford Bridge near York, to fight the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada and his own brother, Tostig Godwinson. He did so and won, and then had to march all the way back down to Hastings in the south, which he did in full gear - having just fought a battle - in just four (!) days. Most heartbreakingly of all, they could have actually won the battle but the Normans managed to lure them from their strong position and encircle them. Who knows what the world would look like now if Harold Godwinson had won - for better or worse! I have made this song to honour his attempts at defending England from every manner of foe. I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think in a comment (I very much enjoy reading them), and feel free to leave any suggestions for historical figures/events/topics you’d like me to cover! If you’d like to support my work, you can do so at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskaldicbard. Many thanks! My intention is exclusively to teach history and languages through song. I do not condone, endorse or seek to glorify violence.
Have you heard of Anglish? I think you’d enjoy it. Most of it only includes changing syntax, but others go further and bring back things such as the case and gender system.
I have a small question... i think, u know the tv-series "vikings", this history/fantasy-mix about Ragnarr Loðbrók. How close is the anglo-saxxon English, used in this product, to the real in the 9th century? The funfact is, that i understand many parts of it (i dont need to read the translation on screen), maybe because i grow up with the rhine franconian dialect of my hometown, i my youth, it was nearly only spoken by old people on markets or in Pubs, as a "gutter language". Today the teach it in school, but the modern version, is more similar to Official German and not like the dialect, that i have learned from my vader, market traders, riverboatmen, and barmen. I ask this, because i have much more problems with ur anglo-saxxo english.
*Somewhere in Heaven* Harald:Harold..... Harold: Wait how are you here? Harald:Brownie Points for Building Church's and Fighting Heathen Countrymen Harold: I see Harald: and let me guess died by arrow Harold:Died by arrow Harald:The Bastard is King then? Harold: Yeah.. Harald: Damn....
I didn't know this masterpiece belonged to you. It was truly a great work. I still can't get this beautiful dialogue out of my mind: Tostig: "What do you promise for King Hardrada? Harold Godwinson: "2 meters of dirt for his grave." The only man we need.
@@SkaldBarda lot of other people who do the “this is what ancient languages sound like” make them sound like they aren’t a real language but you make them sound like they are a real language
@@mk_gamíng0609Brother. If you are of English decent, I can say with 100% certainty you are genetically Germanic. If you’re Scotland or Ireland that’s different.
@@Anglisc1682the English we speak nowadays is more influenced by Germanic and Norman words while old English was fully Germanic and even the Germans could understand them
As a native Kentishman, I’d love to hear a song about Hengest and Horsa, or even Athelbert, the first Christian English king. You do fantastic work, and I can only look forwards to every new song you bless the world with. Thank you.
Harold Godwinson... the last Anglo Saxon King of England... elected unanimously by the Earls... betrayed by his own brother... He rode out to fight two vast armies of Invaders... He defeated the Danes & Norse alliance... He rode out in front to fight against the Normans... and there he met his fate as a warrior King... God Almighty gives his spirit eternal rest and honor. 👑 🛡️ 🗡️ 🇬🇧 ✝️
Research the Battle of Porlock Godwinson was a viking, murdering and plundering innocent English peasants. He was no Anglo Saxon the clue is in the bastards name. Godwinson it's a Danish name. 1056 was the year, he sailed from Dublin a viking town
Once again our ears are soothed by this man’s talent. Well done and I love the emphasis on “ŪT”, really gave a sense of fury and what those men lived, fought and died for. May God’s love be with you
That was the Anglo-Saxon battlecry. They would smash their swords and spears against their shields and chant Ūt repeatedly. I've witnessed a good thousand or so Anglo-Saxon re-enactors recreate it, and it is quite intimidating, your hairs stand up and you get goosebumps.
God bless Harold Godwinson and every Saxon who died for his homeland. My mother's family came here from England, and I'd like to think some distant ancestor of mine fought for Harold. Keep up the great work!
Probably did but the Saxons were brutally oppressed for generations following the Norman conquest and the Northumbrians were near completely genocided.
@@indiekiddrugpatrol3117we Anglo Saxon English did what we needed to do it's not are fault that the Celtic tribe was weak compare to us English they should of fighted harder then shouldn't they so don't bother trying to make us English feel bad because we don't not even a little bit that was the way back then so stop with the bs about genocide you bloody freak of nature 😂🤣🏴
"Where is Germany?" *Points to Germany* "Where is Brazil?" *Points to Brazil* "Where is Turkey?" *Points to Turkey* "Where is England?" "It is gone." "Where is Harold Godwinson?" *Points to heart*
England is still here. The Normans conquered us, but they didn't replace us. It took a while, but we eventually convinced them they were English, and in an ironic twist of fate would then spend the next few centuries invading France. I've always wondered if the King of France at the time would have tried to stop William if he could see the future. Anglo-Saxon England largely kept to itself and minded its own business, if it wasn't for the conquest I doubt England and France would have gone to war half as much.
This hits pretty hard brother. But Harold died a hero, doing a most kingly duty. His geist is one and the same of the English heart and national soul, when he perished he became one with every anglo saxon.
@@keighlancoe5933it's go and show how uneducated these two wank stain are in the comments are like we beat France countless time and at one point France was apart of England fact William just got very lucky but like you seid they didn't replace us because we still here and french we'll look at there country nowadays it's a joke 😂😂😂
Greetings from Russia. I have been listening to you for a long time, and every release of music in Old English simply captivates my soul. I started my acquaintance with this people, language and music from the band Æelfric. As a result, I fell in love with the aesthetics of this ethnic group. In my view, the Anglo-Saxons are the people of eternal autumn. The gold jewelry of the Vendel era is evidence of this. Bravo to your creativity!
@@keighlancoe5933Never heard about this. As far as I know, Old English is taught at some universities here in Russia. Maybe some schools specialized in English teach it as well.
this is so based. As a Southerner from Tennessee who can trace his ancestry back to England and his name back to Old English, I love hearing the language of our ancestors and the stories of their heroes. Wonderful job
I'm a Northerner from the Midwest, I can also trace my blood back to England, my surname comes from Old English. Let us treasure our Anglo-Saxon and American heritage forever more, brother !
@@Goofy-G I did it like this: I looked up my last name in english and in irish as i know that i have irish ancestors and well it resulted in being a scottish name
@@Goofy-G Use 23andMe. But if you're white, have an Scottish/English surname, and live in a former British settler colony, then you're almost certainly of Anglo-Saxon (English) descent. If your family has been in America since before the 1900s, you can probably rest assured that you are an Anglo. Non-British ethnic groups were pretty uncommon in America before the 20th century. In fact, when German, Irish and Italian immigrants began moving to America around the turn of the 20th century, many Americans of the day were worried about America loosing its Anglo-Saxon culture and heritage. You can read what President Teddy Roosevelt and H.P. Lovecraft had to say about these non-Anglo-Saxon migrants moving to America and their worries about them replacing America's Anglo-Saxon culture. I can't find it now, but i'm 100% sure I remember Teddy Roosevelt basically saying that the Anglo-Saxons should rule the world lmao.
Anglo Saxon blood run through us English like a warm spring and I’m proud of that fact so you muppets need to accept the fact that we pure English are our Anglo Saxon descendants and that our the fact sick of freak of nature like you people in the comments thinking they no more about my kin my ancestors my people you don’t no 💩 and that is a fact 🏴❤️⚔️
As a German with passionate interest in linguistics, (naturally) especially west Germanic, you continue to delight me with every song. Thank you for your work, and I hope you feel as content as you deserve. 🙏
He came very close to winning. At some point the banner of William fell and his men thought he himself had fallen, so they started wavering, but William rode along the lines of his army to show them he was still alive. Also, the left flank of the Norman army broke and routed at some point, but the Saxon warriors disobeyed orders to remain in formation, chased the Normans down and eventually got surrounded by Norman cavalry. From then on it started to go downhill for the Saxons.
@@wulfheort8021but yet we Anglo Saxon English our still here i hate William I’m pro Harold godwinson because in my eyes he was our true king not William and that a fact but I’m sure Harold godwinson would be proud that we his people invaded France countless time and that a fact
Alternate history/timeline where the English and Normans shake hands and bid farewell to each other while parting ways to their respective homelands would be pretty cool to behold.
@@SkaldBard No worries. On a side note; we need a song on Æthelstan! He's far too overlooked and arguably did more for England than even Alfred the Great.
@@rustybayonette6641Alfred was the first King of the Anglo Saxons. The first man to unite the English. His children and grandchildren finished what he started. Without Alfred there is no England…hence why he is the only English king to be called “Great”.
I really appreciate you providing the Anglo-Saxons a chance for the musical tradition they were never allowed the freedom to develop in our own history
I heard this wonderful song a long time ago, and I find it surprising that I didn't leave a comment. I apologize, I must express how impressed I am with this piece. You truly put in tremendous effort and showed great talent in this composition, which deserves more recognition! Thank you for this masterpiece.
This is great and so well done! My surname is Godwin and I have read a great deal about the family history the last couple of decades (many books/lots of DNA). This video actually came up while I was digging into research. What an excellent way to present the story. Thanks for creating this and sharing out for others like me to enjoy!
Harold's story has lived with me for decades, maybe first inspired by lounge curtains of scenes from The Bayeux Tapestry which were a background to my childhood in - Southern Rhodesia... When I taught French to 12 and 13 year olds
Though I am proud of my Norman ancestry, I must give it to Harold Godwinson that he was no coward, he was a true warrior king and I will always admire him and all those who preferred to die in the heat of battle than enchained by their foe. God nerie þone cyning!
When I was a teen deeply into the Anglo-Saxons and a Harold supporter, imagine my anguish knowing that my mother's side of the family is 100% French-Canadian and, worse, ultimately Norman. This troubled me greatly.
@TervelKamenovElohim The soil a slave became free the moment he stepped foot on after 1086, i guess william coming had its advantages. Certainly for the young men that got their freedom from their american masters upon entering england once the law had been echoed and amplified in parliament. English law did not allow slavery. What followed was campagining of good english men fighting until britain abolished slavery. For the WORLD.
@@BGIncorporatedi know im one of them, in fact my surname(white) is one of the oldest to the Anglo spheres! Also in Gaelic or Brythonic which would have been similar, it means Son of a fair haird servent or Ghilli or basically son of a slave a hang up from Roman occupation i suppose , ironic dont you think in todays politically correct atmosphere that the Surname white ment a slave or servent...it also means bold as im fearless meaning it could have been the son of a warrior who was slain and the warriors wife took as a slave/servant with child, which many Roman did use the natives as...
The noble work which u are doing is supported by our ancestors and gods keep it up and help us all learn about anglo saxons and their origin May God bless you
I, as you know, am a proud German. However, I am a Lower Saxon and the only difference between the Lower Saxons and the Saxons of England is that our ancestors stayed on the continent. William very much destroyed the connection we Saxons had with his introduction of French which replaced and destroyed much of the Old English language. We Saxons, both in England and in Germany, have suffered great defeat at the hands of the French. Great king Harold Gōdwinessunu and King Widukind shall not be forgotten. Proud Saxons, stand tall and resolute! For King Harold and King Widukind! Wi sünd een! Wi schöölt dat nich vergeten! 🇩🇪🏴
@TotusTuus-jf7qz I agree with everything you say. I just have a different way of looking at it. I may never be able to fully forgive the French for the 1300 years of war that we've had. Does this put me in a similar situation like the Middle East is facing? Absolutely. It's always easier to hate than to forgive, especially when your people have been at each other's throats for millennia. Look no further than the relationship between Scots and English. The English are responsible for the near eradication of the Scottish culture and language just like the Normans are responsible for the Latinization of English and destroying its ties to the West Germanic culture. Yes, much good came from it but at a terrible cost. For me, a part of me will always blame France for the death of my country and I'll always be angry about that. But I have to remind myself that my own country is guilty of equally and more wretched things than the French and that if I can make peace with that, I can attempt to make peace with French history too. But yes, all men and women should love their country. A Frenchman should be able to say J'aime la France, just as a German should be able to say Ich liebe Deutschland and an Englishman, I love England. We all should take pride and love in our nations and kingdoms while making peace with both our past and the wars we've had with each other. Then and only then can we call each other brothers. Like you say, the conquest of England is woven in your history and to be wounded by it is to favor Ænglaland over England. But Ænglaland is a ghost that is remembered, not revived. Just as Old Saxony is a ghost to be remembered but not revived. Same with the Second Reich and the Kingdom of France. These are ghosts of our past and trying to bring them back, even if it would be better, would be to make more rifts and cause more wars. Eventually, one has to choose between forgiveness or resentment. For now, I'm not ready to forgive but I must always keep an open heart and mind for the sake of Europe
While it makes sense for Dutch Lower Saxons to complain about the franks or french, I feel like in Germany you should be more pissed off at other Germans, particularly those of the second and third empires with their ridiculous need to force everyone to speak a single variant of high German resulting in barely any Low Saxons being able to speak their own dialect.
@@Seagull780 I haven't met a single German pissed about speaking High German. My friend's father speaks both Plattdeutsch and Hochdeutsch and she also would have learned it if she didn't move south at an early age. They "forced" us to speak one language for easier communication and because the whole point of the Empire was to promote German unity. You can't really do that if everyone still holds onto regional customs and languages. Now it seems most of us speak our dialects alongside High German.
Truly, exploring the evolution of language is fascinating. I had an 8th grade teacher unlock the magic of it in my mind. And channels like this open my eyes to the glories of an oft overlooked history.
Born and Bred in York steeped in tradition. I fought in a reenactment at Stamford bridge and then Hastings. It was a pilgrimage of the soul it connected me to my ancestors and I am greatly blessed to have been able to remember them in battle.
Ah, Yorkshire. My earliest surname ancestor, Gabriel Clark (b. circa 1640) lived there. Moved to Antrim, N. Ireland to build mills for Lord Massarene. Then his people moved to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Brooklyn and to Los Angeles - where I was born.
I did get the Norman invasion when I was in school but they focused so much on dates I left with no clue on why any other battles actually happend and had bearly any knowledge on the battles in the north, all that I taught myself after school. Also Old English should totally be a subject in English schools cool af language
This is a glorious work. Thank you. Harold should be praised, he truly was the last great king of the English. Although I may disagree with him on religious views, I still cannot deny his greatness and courage.
@@confiteordeo3863I’d guess that since Harold’s marriage to Edith the Fair wasn’t blessed by the Church it is rather hard to call him a truly pious man.
@@loowee2627 before the schism, yes. And some would argue that the Christianity practiced in the British isles before William the conqueror invaded was still Orthodox.
As a proud Anglo Saxon Englishman I respect you welsh for teaching that French muppets a lesson we English see Harold as our true king because he was not William the gutless coward 🏴👍🏻🏴
Interesting fact: the House of Godwin (Harolds house) would continue existing in Norway through Tostigs children. The Norwegian king Inge II was from this line.
It's awesome! I started learning old English recently, was surprised how much better it is than morden English. Hope this language won't be forgotten, From Belarus🇧🇾
Remember kids, if you learn Old English, then marry someöne and convince them to learn it too, then raise your children with it, they'd be the first native speakers of the languäge in hundreds of years
Hard men from a harsh land who lived in the hardest of times and yet in the sight of this they fought on foot man to man until the very last even when their King was no more
Another great song. 💪🙏 about the dispute between William and Harald I like them both. Both were brave, fearless and daring rulers. In the end luck went to William. I suppose I think that way because I'm neither english nor french haha 😄
(continued from previous comment) ... I researched more about the Norman Channel crossing and Harold's extraordinary feats of defense. I remember reading that he had prepared for and had large numbers of men throughout the year waiting for just such a crossing but eventually many left to go and harvest their crops. Meanwhile, the Normans were no great shakes on water, but decided to give it a go at the most challenging time of year and - literally - got lucky calm weather. In the class, we acted out the different groups and situations. A powerful lesson - and invaluable linguistically and historically.
I'm German and I really love all germanic languages, I love old high German, old high english, old norse and old swedish the same as I love the middle high German language, middle english, German, English, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Dutch and all the other germanic and norse languages like Icelandic, Faroese etc. ❣❣❣❤❤❤🇩🇪🇨🇭🇦🇹🏴🇬🇧🇺🇲🏴🇮🇪🏴🇩🇰🇸🇪🇳🇴🇮🇸🇫🇴🇬🇱🇫🇮
Against all the odds and difficulties Harold faced, he still almost won. That is what you call an Englishman. Also, I'm sure Harold's blood still prevailed in further English monarchs such as Edward iii.
It is during the reign of Edward III that being English is something to be celebrated again. Such a coincidence how it all changed at the same time Harold Godwinson's bloodline was reintroduced.
Not only English monarchs ... Gita of Wessex is the daughter of Harold Godwinson and his wife Edith the Fair also known as Edith Swanneck. After marrying Vladimir II Monomakh, Gita became the princess of Kievan Rus The eldest son of Vladimir II Monomakh by Gita of Wessex, Mstislav the Great, was the Grand Duke of Kiev (1125-1132). He occupies a prominent place in the Scandinavian sagas under the name Harald, alluding to his grandfather, Harold II of England. Through her son Mstislav the Great, she was the ancestor of the Danish King Valdemar I Gita was the mother of Yuri Dolgoruky, through his descendants she is the ancestor of Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky and, consequently, of such rulers as Dmitry Donskoy, Ivan III the Great and Ivan IV the Terrible.
Just linguistic? How about Anglo-Saxon law and governance? (Which is essentially what England gifted the world with - how many nations have Parliaments?)
Now on Spotify etc! This is an original song I wrote and performed in Old English.
Ever since I was a mere boy growing up in England and speaking English, the Norman Conquest has bothered me greatly. The main reason for this is that I find Old English to be such an incredibly rich, beautiful language. The Norman Conquest really spelled the end of English staying deeply and conservatively connected to its West Germanic roots, with so many wonderful words being expelled from the language.
Harold Godwinson has, as a result, always been something of a hero of mine. I’ve called him “The Last King of the English” in this song as his demise saw the end of Anglo-Saxon kingship. The odds he was up against are incredible; he had to march across the whole of England, from London to Stamford Bridge near York, to fight the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada and his own brother, Tostig Godwinson. He did so and won, and then had to march all the way back down to Hastings in the south, which he did in full gear - having just fought a battle - in just four (!) days. Most heartbreakingly of all, they could have actually won the battle but the Normans managed to lure them from their strong position and encircle them. Who knows what the world would look like now if Harold Godwinson had won - for better or worse!
I have made this song to honour his attempts at defending England from every manner of foe. I hope you enjoy.
Let me know what you think in a comment (I very much enjoy reading them), and feel free to leave any suggestions for historical figures/events/topics you’d like me to cover!
If you’d like to support my work, you can do so at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskaldicbard. Many thanks!
My intention is exclusively to teach history and languages through song. I do not condone, endorse or seek to glorify violence.
Have you heard of Anglish? I think you’d enjoy it. Most of it only includes changing syntax, but others go further and bring back things such as the case and gender system.
@@tfan2222 I certainly have, I used to translate Wikipedia articles into Anglish on "The Anglish Moot" lel
I have a small question... i think, u know the tv-series "vikings", this history/fantasy-mix about Ragnarr Loðbrók. How close is the anglo-saxxon English, used in this product, to the real in the 9th century? The funfact is, that i understand many parts of it (i dont need to read the translation on screen), maybe because i grow up with the rhine franconian dialect of my hometown, i my youth, it was nearly only spoken by old people on markets or in Pubs, as a "gutter language". Today the teach it in school, but the modern version, is more similar to Official German and not like the dialect, that i have learned from my vader, market traders, riverboatmen, and barmen. I ask this, because i have much more problems with ur anglo-saxxo english.
As French, I side with Guillaume on this one, but respect to the defeated Harold for his brave resistance
*Somewhere in Heaven*
Harald:Harold.....
Harold: Wait how are you here?
Harald:Brownie Points for Building Church's and Fighting Heathen Countrymen
Harold: I see
Harald: and let me guess died by arrow
Harold:Died by arrow
Harald:The Bastard is King then?
Harold: Yeah..
Harald: Damn....
I didn't know this masterpiece belonged to you. It was truly a great work.
I still can't get this beautiful dialogue out of my mind:
Tostig: "What do you promise for King Hardrada?
Harold Godwinson: "2 meters of dirt for his grave."
The only man we need.
Priceless Gold. You're doing more to help us connect with our anglo-saxon ancestors than anyone since Tolkein.
Man, this comment is awesome, speechless. Thank you
@@SkaldBarda lot of other people who do the “this is what ancient languages sound like” make them sound like they aren’t a real language but you make them sound like they are a real language
repent to God
@@Baggerz182 Who said I wasn't a Christian?
100
These songs got me trying to think of ways we can "revive" old english, love your songs
i'm doing þat already!
My Niewanglisch project
Id rather revive all the Brythonic languages OUR true ancestry
@@mk_gamíng0609Brother. If you are of English decent, I can say with 100% certainty you are genetically Germanic. If you’re Scotland or Ireland that’s different.
@@tfan2222even the scots and Irish have quite a lot of Germanic dna 🧬
@@WendyHutchinson-pg7qyno they got mostly Celtic DNA and yes they do have Germanic within the English influence
Anglo-Saxon sounds very rich, and especially when sung. Incredible song as always!
we used to speak it way bæc þen
It sounds harsh and powerful🔥🔥🔥
Man, the old Anglo-Saxon language was truly very beautiful and unique like old norse.
It’s beautiful. I love how it has heavy Germanic influence with a lot of latin mixed in too.
@@chrisstucker1813What? Old English IS Germanic lol
@@Anglisc1682 I never said it wasn’t.
Then the filthy French Norseman tainted it
@@Anglisc1682the English we speak nowadays is more influenced by Germanic and Norman words while old English was fully Germanic and even the Germans could understand them
As a native Kentishman, I’d love to hear a song about Hengest and Horsa, or even Athelbert, the first Christian English king. You do fantastic work, and I can only look forwards to every new song you bless the world with. Thank you.
Thanks a lot for this, my friend, very nice to hear - I'll make a note of your suggestions, great ideas
I really hope this happens, especially if it's from the perspective of the Anglo-Saxons. There needs to be more songs of their accomplishments.
Aethelfrith of Bernicia who was known to the Celts as 'the twister', and first ruler of Bernicia and Deira to form the great Kingdom of Northumbria!
This is really a fantastic idea
Harold Godwinson... the last Anglo Saxon King of England... elected unanimously by the Earls... betrayed by his own brother... He rode out to fight two vast armies of Invaders... He defeated the Danes & Norse alliance... He rode out in front to fight against the Normans... and there he met his fate as a warrior King... God Almighty gives his spirit eternal rest and honor. 👑 🛡️ 🗡️ 🇬🇧 ✝️
In some celtic orthodox churches in England he is viewed as a martyr saint
He was the rightful KING
@@chrisstucker1813that bloody right he wæs the true and rightful king of Ænglaland 🏴
Heartbreaking.
Research the Battle of Porlock
Godwinson was a viking, murdering and plundering innocent English peasants.
He was no Anglo Saxon the clue is in the bastards name.
Godwinson it's a Danish name.
1056 was the year, he sailed from Dublin a viking town
Harold Godwinson the original giga chad “ I will cede you no land but six feet of soil for you will be buried their “ just bloody savage
>Falls to a false rout, the oldest trick in the book
there
Yes mate.
Proceeds to lose
@@AmonGus-hw6sp ambush and the raid are the oldest tactics known
Once again our ears are soothed by this man’s talent. Well done and I love the emphasis on “ŪT”, really gave a sense of fury and what those men lived, fought and died for.
May God’s love be with you
Awesome comment, I'm glad it made an impact. God bless you, friend
@@SkaldBardIt's bæsed
@@SkaldBardbāseþ
That was the Anglo-Saxon battlecry. They would smash their swords and spears against their shields and chant Ūt repeatedly. I've witnessed a good thousand or so Anglo-Saxon re-enactors recreate it, and it is quite intimidating, your hairs stand up and you get goosebumps.
Goosebumps every time
God bless Harold Godwinson and every Saxon who died for his homeland. My mother's family came here from England, and I'd like to think some distant ancestor of mine fought for Harold. Keep up the great work!
Probably did but the Saxons were brutally oppressed for generations following the Norman conquest and the Northumbrians were near completely genocided.
@@indiekiddrugpatrol3117we Anglo Saxon English did what we needed to do it's not are fault that the Celtic tribe was weak compare to us English they should of fighted harder then shouldn't they so don't bother trying to make us English feel bad because we don't not even a little bit that was the way back then so stop with the bs about genocide you bloody freak of nature 😂🤣🏴
My actual family name were direct tenants of Harold Godwinson. Our history is simply a tale of distancing from the Norman conquerors.
"Where is Germany?"
*Points to Germany*
"Where is Brazil?"
*Points to Brazil*
"Where is Turkey?"
*Points to Turkey*
"Where is England?"
"It is gone."
"Where is Harold Godwinson?"
*Points to heart*
cries in english
England is still here. The Normans conquered us, but they didn't replace us. It took a while, but we eventually convinced them they were English, and in an ironic twist of fate would then spend the next few centuries invading France.
I've always wondered if the King of France at the time would have tried to stop William if he could see the future. Anglo-Saxon England largely kept to itself and minded its own business, if it wasn't for the conquest I doubt England and France would have gone to war half as much.
This hits pretty hard brother. But Harold died a hero, doing a most kingly duty. His geist is one and the same of the English heart and national soul, when he perished he became one with every anglo saxon.
@@PanzertruppenLeopard_1shut up little wanker seriously if you want to shit talk do it to are face not in the safety of your own country 😂😂😂
@@keighlancoe5933it's go and show how uneducated these two wank stain are in the comments are like we beat France countless time and at one point France was apart of England fact William just got very lucky but like you seid they didn't replace us because we still here and french we'll look at there country nowadays it's a joke 😂😂😂
Greetings from Russia. I have been listening to you for a long time, and every release of music in Old English simply captivates my soul. I started my acquaintance with this people, language and music from the band Æelfric. As a result, I fell in love with the aesthetics of this ethnic group. In my view, the Anglo-Saxons are the people of eternal autumn. The gold jewelry of the Vendel era is evidence of this. Bravo to your creativity!
What a beautiful sentiment.
"People of eternal autumn". Somehow absolutely right
Is it true you study Old English for a while at school in Russia? I read that somewhere.
Glory To God
@@keighlancoe5933Never heard about this. As far as I know, Old English is taught at some universities here in Russia. Maybe some schools specialized in English teach it as well.
this is so based. As a Southerner from Tennessee who can trace his ancestry back to England and his name back to Old English, I love hearing the language of our ancestors and the stories of their heroes. Wonderful job
I'm a Northerner from the Midwest, I can also trace my blood back to England, my surname comes from Old English. Let us treasure our Anglo-Saxon and American heritage forever more, brother !
Greetings from another English Tennessean! Our ancestors still live through us
How do you trace it back?
@@Goofy-G I did it like this: I looked up my last name in english and in irish as i know that i have irish ancestors and well it resulted in being a scottish name
@@Goofy-G
Use 23andMe.
But if you're white, have an Scottish/English surname, and live in a former British settler colony, then you're almost certainly of Anglo-Saxon (English) descent.
If your family has been in America since before the 1900s, you can probably rest assured that you are an Anglo. Non-British ethnic groups were pretty uncommon in America before the 20th century.
In fact, when German, Irish and Italian immigrants began moving to America around the turn of the 20th century, many Americans of the day were worried about America loosing its Anglo-Saxon culture and heritage. You can read what President Teddy Roosevelt and H.P. Lovecraft had to say about these non-Anglo-Saxon migrants moving to America and their worries about them replacing America's Anglo-Saxon culture.
I can't find it now, but i'm 100% sure I remember Teddy Roosevelt basically saying that the Anglo-Saxons should rule the world lmao.
proud anglo saxon
That has to be the best pronunciation of Old English in a song I've heard so far.
Flanders and Albion will one day both be free again
@@Tom-oj7si All Germanic tribes will eventually break free its in our blood to not be slaves.
"We lighten the burden of enemy horseman". Bro that's just savage
Harold Godwinson the last of the true English kings
Did you know he was half Danish? From his mother's side.
@@wulfheort8021He was also a descendent of Bjorn Ironside!
@@wulfheort8021and did you know the English are Germanic as well? they came from Southern Scandinavia.
Anglo Saxon blood run through us English like a warm spring and I’m proud of that fact so you muppets need to accept the fact that we pure English are our Anglo Saxon descendants and that our the fact sick of freak of nature like you people in the comments thinking they no more about my kin my ancestors my people you don’t no 💩 and that is a fact 🏴❤️⚔️
It’s funny because the Saxons themselves were conquerors
As a German with passionate interest in linguistics, (naturally) especially west Germanic, you continue to delight me with every song. Thank you for your work, and I hope you feel as content as you deserve. 🙏
king Harold Godwinson. He may have Lost the battle of Hastings. But he did win our Hearts. God bless you Harold Godwinson, King of the Anglo Saxons.
He came very close to winning. At some point the banner of William fell and his men thought he himself had fallen, so they started wavering, but William rode along the lines of his army to show them he was still alive. Also, the left flank of the Norman army broke and routed at some point, but the Saxon warriors disobeyed orders to remain in formation, chased the Normans down and eventually got surrounded by Norman cavalry. From then on it started to go downhill for the Saxons.
@@wulfheort8021but yet we Anglo Saxon English our still here i hate William I’m pro Harold godwinson because in my eyes he was our true king not William and that a fact but I’m sure Harold godwinson would be proud that we his people invaded France countless time and that a fact
It's englo saxons !
Anglo-Saxon ❤
@@Hæfgecynd8 that's Latin Anglo saxon .
I’m drawn to the language and culture of England prior to 1066. I wish the Normans had stayed put. Memory Eternal, King Harold Godwinson.
Alternate history/timeline where the English and Normans shake hands and bid farewell to each other while parting ways to their respective homelands would be pretty cool to behold.
Phenomenal! You're doing a great deed for the legacy of the Anglo-Saxons with your work.
Thank you! Means a lot
@@SkaldBard No worries. On a side note; we need a song on Æthelstan! He's far too overlooked and arguably did more for England than even Alfred the Great.
@@rustybayonette6641Alfred was the first King of the Anglo Saxons. The first man to unite the English. His children and grandchildren finished what he started. Without Alfred there is no England…hence why he is the only English king to be called “Great”.
I love this ❤
I really appreciate you providing the Anglo-Saxons a chance for the musical tradition they were never allowed the freedom to develop in our own history
As a Glaswegian, I have always loved this Old English music and the language. It's takes you to another place in time.
As a Yank, I love the Sensational Alex Harvey Band and "Still Game."
Love this, Harold is also a hero of mine. Would love a song on king Oswald of Bernicia
Awesome idea! Thanks
One more win away from being possibly the greatest king we've ever had.RIP Harold Godwinsson.
@Dovahkiin8646 mine too,has been since I was a kid.
@Dovahkiin8646 yep,he will always be my favourite historical figure,it's a shame his reign ended the way it did.
King Harold Godwinson, a true Englisc hero , he will never be forgotten 🏴
Thanks!
Thanks a lot, friend
I heard this wonderful song a long time ago, and I find it surprising that I didn't leave a comment. I apologize, I must express how impressed I am with this piece. You truly put in tremendous effort and showed great talent in this composition, which deserves more recognition! Thank you for this masterpiece.
This is great and so well done! My surname is Godwin and I have read a great deal about the family history the last couple of decades (many books/lots of DNA). This video actually came up while I was digging into research. What an excellent way to present the story. Thanks for creating this and sharing out for others like me to enjoy!
Thank you very much and good luck with the research!
Harold's story has lived with me for decades, maybe first inspired by lounge curtains of scenes from The Bayeux Tapestry which were a background to my childhood in - Southern Rhodesia...
When I taught French to 12 and 13 year olds
Bless you for preserving these exquisite languages in such an epic way!
Though I am proud of my Norman ancestry, I must give it to Harold Godwinson that he was no coward, he was a true warrior king and I will always admire him and all those who preferred to die in the heat of battle than enchained by their foe. God nerie þone cyning!
When I was a teen deeply into the Anglo-Saxons and a Harold supporter, imagine my anguish knowing that my mother's side of the family is 100% French-Canadian and, worse, ultimately Norman. This troubled me greatly.
This song is so good, i love it when history comes to life again with the engagement of motivated people.
Someday you will become a historical reenactor.
@@BegoneJonah maybe, just maybe
Old England forever!
Would love to see some similar stuff to this in your archive.
God bless King Godwinson. The man who died fighting to protect English identity
🏴❤️✝️⚔️ Rip Harold Gōdwinessunu the true king of Ænglaland
He was a wretched usurper.
Isn’t the ancient britons the true identity of
@@aliipro2631 no, the Anglo Saxons were the original English people. England = Ænglaland = land of the Angles.
@@aliipro2631 they were basicly phased out by the romans already they had no culture left when the Saxons came.
Bloody fantastic. You even mentioned the six feet of earth quote.
This man was our Braveheart.
Six feet of English Soil
Glad you clocked the quote! Thanks a lot for the kind words - and yes, he really was
@TervelKamenovElohim The soil a slave became free the moment he stepped foot on after 1086, i guess william coming had its advantages. Certainly for the young men that got their freedom from their american masters upon entering england once the law had been echoed and amplified in parliament. English law did not allow slavery. What followed was campagining of good english men fighting until britain abolished slavery. For the WORLD.
@@legendofmirr I used to be a Civil War reenactor. In blue. No man a slave.
This song, is so so MAGNIFICENT!! Thank you so much for making it:)
Proud to call the Saxons my ancestors. Native English are still here!
Technicaly the celtic peoples would be the natives
Indeed anglo saxon-celts, the Halstadt and the germanic speaking tribes was all of Keltoi Ancestry....
@@wor53lg50 No.
@@OrangeGoggles1I mean the Celts didn't establish England, but yes they was here first
@@BGIncorporatedi know im one of them, in fact my surname(white) is one of the oldest to the Anglo spheres! Also in Gaelic or Brythonic which would have been similar, it means Son of a fair haird servent or Ghilli or basically son of a slave a hang up from Roman occupation i suppose , ironic dont you think in todays politically correct atmosphere that the Surname white ment a slave or servent...it also means bold as im fearless meaning it could have been the son of a warrior who was slain and the warriors wife took as a slave/servant with child, which many Roman did use the natives as...
The noble work which u are doing is supported by our ancestors and gods keep it up and help us all learn about anglo saxons and their origin
May God bless you
Never before listened to a song that felt like taking a whole journey on my own.
Good rest and defence before God to all those who fell on every side.
By far the best yet great story telling and the melody was awsome, this has been on repeat for a few days now lol love your work can't wait for more
You are a very good song writer and i listen to your songs daily. This is another epic masterpiece. Never stop doing what you do🙂
I'm Russian, and I love it. It sounds so mournful, but it's so beautiful.
This is incredible mate! Well done for making this beautiful piece of art and relic of English history 🏴
@@IgorKon765 well respect to him then but what does that even have to do here?.
@@IgorKon765 yes
@@IgorKon765 well obviously the side of our country.
@@Kingsaxxy3872 Yeah, he said the same thing on my post. I said he and his Prussian murdering grandfather could shove off. Just ignore him
Receiving a notification from this channel is one of the highlights of my week.
Great content, as usual!
I, as you know, am a proud German. However, I am a Lower Saxon and the only difference between the Lower Saxons and the Saxons of England is that our ancestors stayed on the continent. William very much destroyed the connection we Saxons had with his introduction of French which replaced and destroyed much of the Old English language. We Saxons, both in England and in Germany, have suffered great defeat at the hands of the French. Great king Harold Gōdwinessunu and King Widukind shall not be forgotten. Proud Saxons, stand tall and resolute! For King Harold and King Widukind! Wi sünd een! Wi schöölt dat nich vergeten! 🇩🇪🏴
@TotusTuus-jf7qz I agree with everything you say. I just have a different way of looking at it. I may never be able to fully forgive the French for the 1300 years of war that we've had. Does this put me in a similar situation like the Middle East is facing? Absolutely. It's always easier to hate than to forgive, especially when your people have been at each other's throats for millennia. Look no further than the relationship between Scots and English. The English are responsible for the near eradication of the Scottish culture and language just like the Normans are responsible for the Latinization of English and destroying its ties to the West Germanic culture. Yes, much good came from it but at a terrible cost. For me, a part of me will always blame France for the death of my country and I'll always be angry about that. But I have to remind myself that my own country is guilty of equally and more wretched things than the French and that if I can make peace with that, I can attempt to make peace with French history too. But yes, all men and women should love their country. A Frenchman should be able to say J'aime la France, just as a German should be able to say Ich liebe Deutschland and an Englishman, I love England. We all should take pride and love in our nations and kingdoms while making peace with both our past and the wars we've had with each other. Then and only then can we call each other brothers. Like you say, the conquest of England is woven in your history and to be wounded by it is to favor Ænglaland over England. But Ænglaland is a ghost that is remembered, not revived. Just as Old Saxony is a ghost to be remembered but not revived. Same with the Second Reich and the Kingdom of France. These are ghosts of our past and trying to bring them back, even if it would be better, would be to make more rifts and cause more wars. Eventually, one has to choose between forgiveness or resentment. For now, I'm not ready to forgive but I must always keep an open heart and mind for the sake of Europe
@TotusTuus-jf7qz I made a comment coming at him but yeah, I'm just ignoring that bs 😂
While it makes sense for Dutch Lower Saxons to complain about the franks or french, I feel like in Germany you should be more pissed off at other Germans, particularly those of the second and third empires with their ridiculous need to force everyone to speak a single variant of high German resulting in barely any Low Saxons being able to speak their own dialect.
@@Seagull780 I haven't met a single German pissed about speaking High German. My friend's father speaks both Plattdeutsch and Hochdeutsch and she also would have learned it if she didn't move south at an early age. They "forced" us to speak one language for easier communication and because the whole point of the Empire was to promote German unity. You can't really do that if everyone still holds onto regional customs and languages. Now it seems most of us speak our dialects alongside High German.
But our blood remains 😊
it's amazing. If you speak English, Platt and German, then you perfectly understand this text.
Truly, exploring the evolution of language is fascinating. I had an 8th grade teacher unlock the magic of it in my mind. And channels like this open my eyes to the glories of an oft overlooked history.
What a banger how is this possible
This one has been in the making all your life, brother. Well done
Right you are, old friend
Another epic piece of history brought to life by your incredible talents - magnificent, as always
I love this language and tone and song. Good work.
Born and Bred in York steeped in tradition. I fought in a reenactment at Stamford bridge and then Hastings. It was a pilgrimage of the soul it connected me to my ancestors and I am greatly blessed to have been able to remember them in battle.
🏴✊🏻
Ah, Yorkshire. My earliest surname ancestor, Gabriel Clark (b. circa 1640) lived there. Moved to Antrim, N. Ireland to build mills for Lord Massarene. Then his people moved to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Brooklyn and to Los Angeles - where I was born.
7:41 I've just got goosebumps listening to the music. I wish this was taught to all English children.
I did get the Norman invasion when I was in school but they focused so much on dates I left with no clue on why any other battles actually happend and had bearly any knowledge on the battles in the north, all that I taught myself after school.
Also Old English should totally be a subject in English schools cool af language
Brilliant song, hats off to you , respect from South East England 💪🏻💪🏻
This is a glorious work. Thank you. Harold should be praised, he truly was the last great king of the English. Although I may disagree with him on religious views, I still cannot deny his greatness and courage.
@@confiteordeo3863I’d guess that since Harold’s marriage to Edith the Fair wasn’t blessed by the Church it is rather hard to call him a truly pious man.
what religion was he? I cannot find it online some say catholic some say orthadox
@@loowee2627I wish England had stayed Orthodox 😔
was england ever orthadox?
@@EnglishOrthodox
@@loowee2627 before the schism, yes.
And some would argue that the Christianity practiced in the British isles before William the conqueror invaded was still Orthodox.
I love this Old English song. It has a raw primeval power and a spirit that transcends across time from our English ancestors to today.
This is probably my favorite alongside Jorsalanam, these are works of art. Please keep it going!
That's awesome, thanks for the support
Beautiful song!
I love old languages, so this song makes me very happy!
This sounds MUCH better than modern english.
Congratulations from Italy!
I absolutely love it, it sounds like a story being told... the melody and stuff reminds me of sabaton
amazing as per usual brother
Harald Godwines sunu! God miltsige his sawle! Full support from wales 🏴 William learnt a lesson when he messed with the welsh !
As a proud Anglo Saxon Englishman I respect you welsh for teaching that French muppets a lesson we English see Harold as our true king because he was not William the gutless coward 🏴👍🏻🏴
A nice favour returned to the Anglos who fought for you against the picts
@@AthelstansSuccessor🎉
@@Angle-saxon-94 As an American rugby player I salute the Welsh for being so passionate about the game!
If only it was possible to give multiple likes. Keep it up Skäld💪
badass song mate
St. Harold Godwinson, the holy and right-believing King of England, pray unto God for us.
🏴✊🏻
Interesting fact: the House of Godwin (Harolds house) would continue existing in Norway through Tostigs children. The Norwegian king Inge II was from this line.
It's awesome! I started learning old English recently, was surprised how much better it is than morden English. Hope this language won't be forgotten,
From Belarus🇧🇾
This is absolutely amazing. Fantastic work! It actually sounds like it could have been written and sung by the men fighting there.
Such beauty, a fine tale indeed.
Absolutely brilliant.
Thank you Skaldic Bard! That was great! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your videos! Keep it coming!
Remember kids, if you learn Old English, then marry someöne and convince them to learn it too, then raise your children with it, they'd be the first native speakers of the languäge in hundreds of years
#lifegoals
My soon to be wife is Norwegian and We are certainly bringing back our common Nordic Language. Because modern Swedish suck
#yesofcoursei'ddothatbro
Umlauts at random? If you pronounce "languäge" you sound like the Muppets' Swedish Chef!
@@BegoneJonah look up diaeresis
Return of the king. Harold Godwinson true King of England.
This is very helpful and easy to understand Harold Godwinson history
Yet another fire song, really great work!
Thanks, Mr Monkey! Means a lot
It's not often a song gives me shivers. But even as a boy and now as man when asked my nationality I will always say Anglo-Saxon... great stuff 👏 👍
Gorgeous
Hard men from a harsh land who lived in the hardest of times and yet in the sight of this they fought on foot man to man until the very last even when their King was no more
Great as always, keep up the good work.
This song adds 20% to your deadlift. Scientifically proven.
Wish i know of old english as a kid, would've loved to learn it.
sold, I'm in. Liked subbed and impatiently waiting to unite the kingdoms once again
Love this - just off now to watch the newer HD version...
5:00 You can just hear the fighting at Hastings thundering down through the ages. *shudders*
Another great song. 💪🙏 about the dispute between William and Harald I like them both. Both were brave, fearless and daring rulers. In the end luck went to William. I suppose I think that way because I'm neither english nor french haha 😄
(continued from previous comment) ... I researched more about the Norman Channel crossing and Harold's extraordinary feats of defense. I remember reading that he had prepared for and had large numbers of men throughout the year waiting for just such a crossing but eventually many left to go and harvest their crops. Meanwhile, the Normans were no great shakes on water, but decided to give it a go at the most challenging time of year and - literally - got lucky calm weather. In the class, we acted out the different groups and situations. A powerful lesson - and invaluable linguistically and historically.
If a movie is ever made of this fight, then they have to include this song while we get a montage of Harold traveling north to York.
Swā gōd, brōþor! Sōþlīce!! Excellent ballad.
Ic þe þancie!
I'm German and I really love all germanic languages, I love old high German, old high english, old norse and old swedish the same as I love the middle high German language, middle english, German, English, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Dutch and all the other germanic and norse languages like Icelandic, Faroese etc. ❣❣❣❤❤❤🇩🇪🇨🇭🇦🇹🏴🇬🇧🇺🇲🏴🇮🇪🏴🇩🇰🇸🇪🇳🇴🇮🇸🇫🇴🇬🇱🇫🇮
A true King of England. 🏴
Well said 🏴✊🏻
Against all the odds and difficulties Harold faced, he still almost won. That is what you call an Englishman.
Also, I'm sure Harold's blood still prevailed in further English monarchs such as Edward iii.
It is during the reign of Edward III that being English is something to be celebrated again. Such a coincidence how it all changed at the same time Harold Godwinson's bloodline was reintroduced.
@@RBS.23
Edward III, being a Plantagenet, had a bloodline back to Aelfred Great and beyond, back as far as Cerdic (and even Woden, apparently....🤭.)
@@adventussaxonum448It's a broad tree, yes. Don't forget Baldæg of Westphalia!
@@skullwarrior4769We dont have a true Anglo Saxon with royal blood, We cant replace the French in norse costumes, can we?
Not only English monarchs ...
Gita of Wessex is the daughter of Harold Godwinson and his wife Edith the Fair also known as Edith Swanneck. After marrying Vladimir II Monomakh, Gita became the princess of Kievan Rus
The eldest son of Vladimir II Monomakh by Gita of Wessex, Mstislav the Great, was the Grand Duke of Kiev (1125-1132).
He occupies a prominent place in the Scandinavian sagas under the name Harald, alluding to his grandfather, Harold II of England.
Through her son Mstislav the Great, she was the ancestor of the Danish King Valdemar I
Gita was the mother of Yuri Dolgoruky, through his descendants she is the ancestor of Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky and, consequently, of such rulers as Dmitry Donskoy, Ivan III the Great and Ivan IV the Terrible.
God, I wish that the Anglo saxons won so that old English was preserved and I could have an easier time learning Germanic languages
Just linguistic? How about Anglo-Saxon law and governance? (Which is essentially what England gifted the world with - how many nations have Parliaments?)
Great music. I hope that in the future you will also create songs about Slavic countries like Kievan Rus or Poland. God bless
While you're waiting, check out the Duke of Canada's entertaining videos of national hymns.
Just amazing
You didn't just make me cry for a deceased English king
😔
Wiredo 🤦🏻
beautiful
Man your beast i learned more from you then my history teacher keep doing like that man your best
Absolutely love your work, you have a real talent for singing melodies and storytelling