29th July 1128
It was announced today that twenty-five year-old William Clito, the heir to Robert Curthose, former Duke of Normandy, has died of an infected wound at Aalst in Flanders. William Clito, along with his confederate, Godfrey of Louvain, had been besieging the town of Aalst since 12th July as part of his bid to retain the disputed title of Count of Flanders (see pictured seal).
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Thursday November 25th 1120 AD
King Henry sailed safely from Barfleur on Thursday night, but his son Prince William, along with many members of his family, eminent noblemen, councillors and companions as well as distinguished clerics, advisers and courtiers perished in a tragic accident when their late-night ferry struck off-shore rocks at Barfleur.
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June 5th 1118
The death has been announced of one of the most prominent men of the last half century. Soldier, diplomat, adviser and royal confidant, Robert of Meulan was an indispensable member of the court for nearly fifty years, the last survivor of the generation of heroes who conquered at Hastings and made England the kingdom it is today.
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29th September 1106
Yesterday was the fortieth anniversary of the day the Conqueror landed at Pevensey and gained a kingdom. And yesterday was the day his son, Duke Robert, lost Normandy. After a rainsoaked battle fought at Tinchebrai in wretched conditions, the duke’s hopes sank into the mud and disappeared.
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Easter 1105
Carentan yesterday became the centre of Anglo-Norman politics. Unlikely as it seems, this little town at the foot of the Contentin peninsula, squeezed into a marshy basin of the Douve, was the scene of unprecedented controversy.
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August 2nd 1101
Until recently war seemed a real possibility in the unharvested fields around Alton. Two armies were facing off after weeks of manoeuvring. We have followed the progress of Duke Robert of Normandy’s invasion of England since July when he landed with an armed force at Portsmouth harbour and challenged his brother, Henry, to a showdown. Since then the country has been poised for the outbreak of war, everyone braced for the worst, every day tension and fear showing in people’s faces as news of battle was hourly expected.
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February 2nd 1101 AD
Disgraced ex-minister, Ranulf Flambard, long-time henchman of the late King William Rufus, (killed by an arrow last August in a hunting accident), broke out of the notorious Thameside Tower on the night of Candelmas and disappeared without trace. Imprisoned by the present king for a string of offences including withholding payments to the church, appropriating lands, intimidation and amassing a private fortune at the expense of the public treasury, he strenuously denied all charges, claiming to have been ‘made a scapegoat.’
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October 1100 – Breaking News
Amidst huge controversy it has been announced that a formal inquiry is to be held at Lambeth this month to inquire into the past life of Matilda, daughter of the late Malcolm of Scotland. This lady, who used to be known as Edith, spent her youth at the nunnery at Wilton. It was said that she became a nun and wore the veil. This is denied by her supporters. Now a formal inquiry is investigate the truth of the situation. The lady herself, who is said to be deeply upset, has not released a statement and is currently unavailable for comment.
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Thursday August 2nd 1100 AD
In a ghastly repetition of the accident in May this year when Richard, love-child of Duke Robert, was killed while hunting in the New Forest, the King yesterday suffered a similar fate.
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Holy Wednesday April 21st 1109
It was announced from Canterbury today that one of the most famous and influential men in Europe for the last half century has died peacefully at home in Canterbury at the age of 76.
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