Category Archives: Saints

Battle of Hastings

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Scene from the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Battle of Hastings and the death of King Harold. Harold was king for less than a year and died when an arrow was shot through his eye.

The Battle of Hastings was fought on 14 October 1066 between the Norman-French army of William “the Conqueror,” and an English army under the Anglo-Saxon King Harold Godwinson; when William won the battle, it was the beginning of the Norman conquest of England.

The context of the battle was that the childless King Edward the Confessor died in January 1066, which set up a succession struggle between several claimants to his throne.

King Edward ruled England for 24 years. His nickname reflects the traditional image of him as unworldly and pious. “Confessor” reflects his reputation as a saint who did not suffer martyrdom, as opposed to King Edward the Martyr. Edward built Westminster Abbey in order to have a grand church to bury royal family members. Edward and his wife had no children; it was said that they had no children because Edward kept a vow of celibacy to demonstrate his devotion to Christ. He is

For some time the Abbey had claimed that it possessed a set of coronation regalia that Edward had left for use in all future coronations. Following Edward’s canonization, these were regarded as holy relics, and thereafter they were used at all English coronations from the 13th century until the destruction of the regalia by Oliver Cromwell in 1649.

Harold was crowned king shortly after Edward’s death, but faced invasions by William as well as two other contenders for the throne. King Harold was able to defeat the other two contenders and while Harold and his forces were recovering, William landed his invasion forces in the south of England in late September 1066. Harold was forced to march south swiftly, gathering forces as he went. But he and his army lost, a “very Bad Thing” as the famous 1066 And All That describes it.

Hot Off the Press!

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The book was a #1 New Release in one category and a Top 10 in another on Amazon.

My newest book, The Early Eastern Orthodox Church: A History, AD 60-1553, has just been released by McFarland. It was #1 and #4 in two different categories on Amazon. Order yours now–Kindle version or paperback!

One reader has already written that the book “is a delightful romp through Church history!” Another reader reports: “Super informative and easy to follow. Really interesting stuff. The pages practically turn themselves.” 👍

Although the book focuses on Church life in the Eastern Mediterranean region, much of the book is about the common heritage of both east and west (formation of the New Testament, development of church order and hierarchy, as well as the role of the ecumenical councils, etc). Many issues—the interaction of science and faith, divinity and humanity, Church and State—continue to be pertinent today.

Add your review to the book’s Amazon page as well.

There will be a Book Launch on Monday, November 12 at St. John’s-in-the-Village Church (West 11 Street @7 Avenue) with Evensong at 6:15 p.m. and Book Reading and Signing at 6:45 p.m. Discussion with Q & A will follow. Drinks will be served. Come celebrate even if you already have your copy. Books will be available for purchase—at a special discount!

Medieval Ivory in the Victoria & Albert Museum

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There is a stunning collection of medieval ivories in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Medieval ivories were extremely valuable and high status items; the ivory itself generally came from elephants in India or North Africa although walrus tusks could be obtained by trading with the Vikings. I was privileged to see the collection during our recent trip to London. Here are four of the pieces I was privileged to see.

This ivory depicts the women coming to the Tomb of Christ early on the morning of Sunday. They discover that the stone is rolled away from the tomb’s entrance, revealing that the tomb itself is empty. The empty burial cloths of Jesus are shown, as is the angel who tells them, “He is not here–he is risen! Go and tell his disciples!” The sleeping guards are also seen here, oblivious to what is happening. The tomb itself looks like the tomb within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. This ivory was probably carved at the Benedictine abbey of St Gallen, an important center of manuscript and ivory production and was probably carved AD 900-950. (photo by S. Morris)

This ivory shows Christ enthroned in glory as Judge of the living and the dead at the Last Day. The dead of all generations are rising from their graves as angels blow trumpets above, calling them to judgement. The damned are shown being consumed by the monster that is Hell (lower right) as Christ welcomes the righteous into the heavenly Jerusalem (lower left). The Hell monster is shown outside the city walls of the heavenly Jerusalem, just as the valley used as a burning trash heap that gave birth to the stories of Hell is outside the walls of the earthly Jerusalem. (photo by S. Morris)

The top scene depicts the arrival of the Magi bringing gifts–gold, frankincense, and myrrh–to the Mother of God and the Christ Child as St. Joseph stands behind them. The bottom scene depicts the Mother of God presenting Jesus in the Temple when he was 40 days old (celebrated on February 2). Simeon the elder, prepared to wrap Jesus with a cloth, promises Mary that “a sword will pierce [her] heart also.”

An angel blesses a person as they sleep, probably giving them a dream-message from God or protecting them from nightmares. The building in the background might be the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem which might indicate that the person is sleeping in the church in hopes of being healed of an illness and the angel is there to heal them.