A Ponder

Not so large, and broken down,

A sign of might and glory past,

A tale of kingdoms, warring oft,

Over which a shadow cast.

In its midst, I stare in thought

Spellbound by its ancient age,

Caught in history and time so long,

Weathering all nature's rage.

On the Road, I look around,

And see with thought the busy street.

I hear the silent, ancient noise,

And feel the tramp of many feet.

I ponder for a moment's time,

And muse that where I stand,

Was where a soldier readied stood,

In a fort by hundreds manned.

But if it was, it is no more,

For as I sweep my gaze around,

The fort had given its face to age,

And no more gave its lively sound.

It once the fringe of kingdoms was,

And kept the Celts at large at bay.

It held the lives of many a man,

But that was in an ancient day.

But oh, the tales it has inside,

Though crumbled down and old,

Of all the men who in it lived,

But who by now are buried, cold.

All pictures are of Corbridge Roman Site

Crecy - Part II

To see part one, go here...

England's plight was great indeed
'Twas four to one in France's favour.
With chivalry renowned and famed,
Phillip would this battle savour.

But Edward planned with skill unbound,
And, confident his men would fight,
Did place his son to lead a troop,
Against King Phillip's battle might

The second Prince of Wales did have,
From Wales, a thousand men with knives,
And horseless knights and men-at-arms,
Who together were eight hundred lives.

But the French stood not a chance that day,
Against the bowmen under Edward's care.
For twice a thousand yeoman could,
Reign death and mayhem from the air.

And so was each division made,
Left and right and reserve, all.
Bravery of France was tried that day,
Against the mighty English wall.

At three o'clock that afternoon,
Did France arrive upon the field,
Having trekked some eighteen miles,
To face the waiting shield.

Enraged at England's banner flown,
King Phillip ordered his to fight,
But oh, if only he had waited,
To assemble all his might!

More coming...