Michael Kramer

A Castle of Doomsday Michael Kramer

A journey through English history, starting with Edward the Confessor and going on to William the Conqueror, his family and their fighting among themselves for dominance. Because William built a series of castles to help impose his will upon Saxon England, the story of the two (2) castles he built within the city walls of York is included in this book. One of these was originally called York Castle. Both it and the other castle in York called Bailey Hill were burned down during the rebellions of 1068-1069. Both castles were of the Motte and Bailey types of castles in which the Castle Keep had a raised elevation. The castle called York Castle was designed to dominate the former Danish Viking city of Jorvik. The Rebels of York were aided in their rebellion by a force of Danes who were led by Hereward the Wake. He was a Saxon and his mother was reputed to be Lady Godiva, while his father was Earl Leofric. Hereward was a thorn in the side of the incoming Normans and, in the end, William the conqueror had to come to special arrangements with him in order to rule effectively. Centuries after the exploits of Hereward the Wake, the legend of Robin Hood was formed. This in fact was the stories based upon Hereward the Wake who did exist, while Robin Hood did not.