Anniversary And Advertising

I woke up this morning thinking that there seemed to be something special about today's date, but was unable to remember what it was; some anniversary to do with Edward II, maybe, or had I missed someone's birthday? Then finally it dawned on me: today marks the anniversary of my Edward II blog. It's been going for four years now! Yay! It's had over 100,000 visitors since I set up a blog counter in 2007, which is, ooooh, about 99,995 more than I ever expected, given that all most people seem to 'know' or want to know about Edward II can be summed up by 'gay king killed with red-hot poker'. When I started the blog on 3 December 2005, I would certainly never have guessed the astonishing fact that Edward has fans in the most unlikely places, such as Costa Rica, Italy and Russia, and I didn't know that I'd be lucky enough to meet some fantastic people via the blog and to make lasting friendships.

I'd like to say a huge 'thank you' here: firstly, to those of you who have so generously shared your own research, writing, materials and ideas on the era with me (much appreciated!), and secondly, to the many people who have left kind and thoughtful comments on the blog and sent me feedback via email. And I'd especially like to thank all my readers, both regular and occasional, for actually being interested in my witterings about the life and times of one of England's most disastrous kings.

(Just have to put in a link here to a new review of Alison Weir's biography of Isabella of France, by Michele at A Reader's Respite.)

I should really have planned something big for the blog's fourth anniversary, but as I forgot all about it, this post is pretty well off-the-cuff and thus seriously lame. Here goes, with some advertising slogans about Edward II courtesy of the Advertising Slogan Generator:

- Nobody better lay a finger on my Edward II. (Damn right!!!)

- We're with the Edward II.

- Let the Edward II begin.

- Edward II born and bred.

- Sometimes you feel like an Edward II, sometimes you don't. (Needless to say, I always feel like an Edward II.)

- Watch out, there's an Edward II about.

- Edward II saves your soul.

- I feel like Edward II tonight.

- Get the Edward II habit.

- Not just nearly Edward II, but really Edward II.

And given that it's coming up to the festive season, here are some excerpts from Christmas carols and songs featuring le roi, from the Christmas Song Generator (yes, I'm really scraping the barrel here):

- A child, a child, Shivers in the cold, Let us bring him silver and Edward II.

- Christmas is coming, The Edward II is getting fat, Please to put a penny, In the old man's hat.

- Come and behold him, Born the king of Edward II.

- O come all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant; O come ye, o come ye, To Edward II.

- Rudolph, with your Edward II so bright, Won't you guide my sleigh tonight.

- Brightly shone the moon that night, Though the frost was cruel, When an Edward II came in sight, Gathering winter fuel.

- Do not falter, little donkey, There's a star ahead. It will guide you, little donkey, To an Edward II.

- I'm dreaming of a white Edward II, Just like the ones we used to know.

- Of all the trees That are in the wood, The Edward II bears the crown.

- Last Christmas I gave you my Edward II, But the very next day you gave it away.

- Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and Edward II reconciled.

- There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time, The greatest gift they'll get this year is Edward II.

Here's to the next four years, and yes, I still have absolutely tons about the era, the people, the events and, above all, my beloved Edward, that I want to write about!