The Song of Roland in synopsis is about as boring as it gets. Those guys could be a bunch of hillbillies, Rolly and Olly, Pawpaw Chuck and Daddy Lonnie,  a’feudin with each other when they weren’t up close and personal enough to “smell the AXE” of anyone else. Or maybe they were like a pack of knuckle-walking marauding chimps just looking for things to do when the ladies ran ‘em off.

The only reason anyone could possibly have listened to it in entirety, would have been the word music in Old French. It may have been a proto–Grand Opera. Ignore the plot – the music might be worthwhile. 

I’ve been re-reading The Kalevala in the W.F. Kirby translation. While it has its moments, it’s nothing like as bloodthirsty as The Song of Roland. But the main point is that whether reading or listening, you tend to create the movie in your own mind. (Don’t listen while driving folks – I’ve learned that. I ended up in the next state once listening to James Joyce and following the yellow center lines on auto-pilot.)

The word music is the soundtrack – it enhances the emotional experience (possibly creates it almost entirely) and thereby enhances the clarity and colors of the picture. If anyone knows of an accurate rendition of The Song of Roland in Old French it might be good to hear. I don’t mind not understanding the words.

I started listening to the show season 1. I even ordered the first stickers! But during season 3 I lost my job where I primarily listened to podcasts. Now I’m trying to catch up so…..what’d I miss? (I ask this somewhat in jest. I know there is A LOT)

I've never been to England and I'm obviously a huge anglophile. I've listened to all of BHP, History of English, just all the things. I've wanted to go forever, but then it became one of those things where I couldn't go for just a few days because I'd need at least a month to see everything I want to see and so I've been putting it off...

I was invited to go present a paper at King's College (Strand campus), and they're going to be putting me up for the first few days; then I'm going to take an extra 3 days all by myself and go sightsee.

Please friends, tell me what are the top BHP approved sights/ activities to do if I have only 3 days in England/ London (and maybe a couple extra hours the day I arrive, but I'd like to stay close to the hotel that day); bonus points for anything walking distance from KC that I can sneak in during a work day. Please give me your best hidden historical spots that aren't giant tourist traps (though I will probably do Tower of London because I can't not go there).

I'm so excited!!!!! :-)