My name is Edmund but people call me Edmund of Norwich. Today, at the hour of
my death and penniless, I am writing these words as my only legacy after having lived
for a long time. I have seen how my friends, enemies and relatives have died. God has
tormented me for living such a long life.
I was born in Norwich in the year of Our Lord MLXVI. It is said that the day I was
born a bright light crossed the sky. My parents thought this was a sign that something
bad was about to happen. But it was not only me who suffered from a disaster; my own
country suffered too. It was invaded by Norman people. One day in October a battle
took place near Hastings. William, Duke of Normandy from France fought against his
cousin Harold, king of England. The battle lasted from nine in the morning to late
afternoon when King Harold was killed by an arrow in his eye and a sword from a
Norman soldier. After that William marched to London where he was crowned new
king of England. Years later I saw a very long, heavy precious tapestry with some of
these events in it.
