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King Richard's Crusade

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King

Richard's

Crusade

King Richard the Lion-Heart (September 8, 1157 to April 6, 1199) was an important Christian commander during the Third Crusade, leading the campaign after the departure of Philip II of France and achieving considerable victories against his Muslim counterpart, Saladin, although he failed to retake Jerusalem.

“Make love tonight as if it were your last Then hold your youngest; memorize his face Next time you see your sons, years may have passed Hold fast to moments time tries to erase “Our lion-hearted king calls us to arms Tomorrow morning at the dawn’s first light We leave our families, our friends, our farms To free imprisoned warriors, we’ll fight “Crusaders chained and whipped by potentates Are aching to view England’s shores once more So bring your lance, a battlefield awaits Our native sons are what we’re fighting for “Four hundred strong, we’ll cross the moat at dawn A checkmate’s in our future, king to pawn” *September 9, 2020 For John Lawless’s “Warrior Sonnet” Contest

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Greg Gaul

Date: 1/22/2021 6:22:00 PM

At the risk of repeating myself, I send warm congratulations again Carolyn on this fine piece. So well done.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 1/23/2021 9:19:00 AM

Thanks, Greg. It's a personal favorite because I enjoy writing about history.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 1/5/2021 7:53:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. A wonderful story/write. Your last line was priceless. Enjoy your win. Today, have joy/blessings...............

Greg Gaul

Date: 1/4/2021 4:08:00 PM

Carolyn, a classic and powerful treatment with epic historical implications. Terrific phrasing makes this a standout. As always, top drawer. Congratulations.

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 1/4/2021 2:53:00 PM

I love this historical write Carolyn. Thanks for sharing :) Congratulations on the win! Linda

John Hamilton

Date: 1/4/2021 8:57:00 AM

Another great write and win, congrats Carolyn!

Hannington Mumo

Date: 10/23/2020 7:27:00 PM

Your titillating rhyming choices left me gasping for more.You're an impregnably practiced versifier, no doubt about that...the nifty diction and sleek turn of phrase tell it all within a glance:-)

John Watt

Date: 10/17/2020 12:08:00 AM

Your sonnet writing skill is so evident here, as is your talent for researching historical data and putting it into poetic form. I admire both... well done!

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 10/17/2020 12:16:00 PM

Thank you, John! I enjoy writing sonnets more than any other serious poetic form.

John Hamilton

Date: 10/10/2020 2:34:00 PM

This is so well written Carolyn, no wonder John saw fit to place it with the winners, congrats on an excellent write and win!

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 10/10/2020 4:58:00 PM

Thanks, John. Wasn't expecting a win, but had fun writing the poem. This period of history fascinates me.

Jack Horne

Date: 9/28/2020 8:00:00 AM

so glad to see this was a winner, hon - truly awesome xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/27/2020 9:58:00 AM

Congratulations on your fantastic and very well deserved win.

John Lawless

Date: 9/26/2020 5:12:00 AM

beautifully written Carolyn. The final couplet a bit of brilliance. Perhaps the ultimate in "no soldier left behind". The thought of Dunkirk also crept in while I read. thanks for participating in the contest.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 9/27/2020 11:46:00 AM

Thank you, John. I love the theme you chose for your contest. It inspired me.

P.M. Richter

Date: 9/25/2020 10:17:00 PM

Inspiring Sonnet my friend! "...we’ll cross the moat at dawn. A checkmate’s in our future, king to pawn” ~ FAV

Eve Roper

Date: 9/25/2020 5:16:00 PM

Love your first stanza, Carolyn, congratulations on your win!

Jack Webster

Date: 9/25/2020 11:06:00 AM

Congratulations Carolyn

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 9/25/2020 8:53:00 AM

Congratulations, Carolyn, on this terrific entry! Onward!

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 9/25/2020 8:22:00 AM

I love this Carolyn! Congratulations on a well-deserved win! Linda

Judy Ball

Date: 9/14/2020 6:04:00 AM

WoW~! What a great tribute to a hero king. He didn't send his warriors to battle, he led them. Great stuff. God Bless, JB

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 9/11/2020 2:47:00 PM

A great, inspiring, rallying cry to arms, stirring and emotive of courage and sacrifice, best of luck in the contest, Carolyn~

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 9/12/2020 10:48:00 AM

Thanks, Michelle. Like the theme for this contest and the sonnet is my favorite form.

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 9/11/2020 11:57:00 AM

Richard the Lion Heart was always a favourite hero of mine. Great sonnet which should achieve high praise. ~~

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 9/12/2020 10:47:00 AM

Thanks, Victor. I have always admired Richard too. Heard he was a compassionate and courageous leader.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 9/11/2020 11:03:00 AM

The intermarrying of two interesting subjects, one very historical (I love the historical story of Richard the Lion Heart) and the other Chess - I'm sure going back far in history to date - very clever. You write beautifully Carolyn, Good luck in the contest my friend. Hugs and blessings Jennifer. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 9/11/2020 11:08:00 AM

You are always so kind. Thanks for reading, Jennifer

Mike Bayles

Date: 9/10/2020 8:07:00 PM

I like the medieval feel to it, as well as the reference to a chess match.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/10/2020 4:09:00 PM

wow, you have done an excellent sonnet for his contest, Carolyn . I find the topic difficult to write about. Maybe I need to do like you and just find something in history to relate it to. I just know this will be a winner.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 9/11/2020 11:18:00 AM

Thank you, Andrea. I've written many war poems as I continue to pray for peace today. I've always been intrigued by King Richard and the Crusades.

Rico Leffanta

Date: 9/10/2020 12:12:00 PM

Well done! Richard aka "The Parking Lot King" is a DNA ancestor who bequeathed scoliosis on the line, which may account for his attitude! Aloha! Rico

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 9/11/2020 11:23:00 AM

Yes, and thanks for the earlier tip on the moat. I didn't know Richard's DNA carried scoliosis. From everything I've heard, he was a good king. Best wishes, my friend.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 9/10/2020 2:16:00 AM

- A wonderful poem, Carolyn - The time was cruel ... and it is today too ... but in two different ways - Best wishes in the contest :) - Regarding my last poem: I have posted a text - photo information - Many thanks for your valuable fave :) - Have a lovely day :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Joanna Daniel

Date: 9/10/2020 12:40:00 AM

A lovely and powerful sonnet, Carolyn, all the best for the contest:)