Every Man For Himself

After reading the lectures for this week my thought was "Thank God I didn't live back then." Not only were those claiming to be "Christians" laying waste and plundering cities in their wake, they were murdering those who refused to convert. What a bloodbath. And you couldn't sail the sea without fear of the Muslim Pirates. Yes, Muslim Pirates... I laughed when I read that too. And then there were the Vikings. You see those guys coming and run like hell. I had no idea their conquests ran so far and wide. I think I always imagined them coming from one land, not many. I'm glad that they weren't completely heartless barbarians from the sound of it. I myself am of Scandinavian descent and my family has a lot of traditions like lefse, lutefisk, and other Scandinavian jokes and sayings that only we get. Yes, we get weird looks when we have our private little jokes. Even though they were a bit brutish, I'm glad I can't be totally ashamed of them. They were strong, free, and very capable men and women. I had a good laugh reading about William the Conqueror's funeral. Poor guy... he dies and the servants take all his clothes and furniture so he's found undignified and naked. Then, during his procession the town catches on fire and everyone runs off to fight it, leaving his sad little body. Then, that local man creates a fuss at his funeral about not being paid for the grave plot. Then, his poor arm breaks off and a horrible stench fills the air. Now all we have left of him is a thigh bone and a single slab of stone to remember him by. It probably wasn't that funny then... it's funny now though. :)