Oracle: Henry I’s Daughter Speaks

Oracle: Henry I’s Daughter Speaks

A daughter born on the wrong side of the blanket
given to a Count in marriage
a political alliance for my father
who gave my daughters away as hostages
and another king’s son held as bond
in my hands: my hands! O servants of the air!
Promptly did I have his eyes put out.
As promptly did Henry allow my daughters’
eyes blinded, their noses cut off as revenge –
Do you wonder? So power-hungry progenitors
bequeath the sacrifice of the innocent
to this day.

Henry I was king of England from c. 1100– 1 December 1135. Historian Charles Spencer describes this brutally cruel event in his book The White Ship

16 thoughts on “Oracle: Henry I’s Daughter Speaks”

    1. I remember Obama’s “kill lists” and drone assassinations. The political establishment just took all this in stride. No inquiries. Nothing. And so it will go till the end of time.

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    1. Thanks for reading, Rochelle, in spite of the depravity depicted. I couldn’t get it out of my head once I heard of it. Such histories are a constant reminder of what every human being is capable of given the power.

      Aleichem shalom,
      Dora

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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