On this day in the year 1087 A.D. one of the most notable characters in the history of Western civilization died. (While we don’t do “deaths” ordinarily, this had a level of absurdity that may have even exceeded its regal/notoriety – a kind of “Monty Python buries the King.”)…..Okay! Okay! I’ll get to the point.
A few weeks before this day, William the Conqueror (see successful invaders of British Isles – short list) was traveling in France. The citizens of Mantes (see local town – bad attitude) hung out signs unwelcoming Willy. Since this was before the age of political correctness, the signs read – “Go home you bastard” (in Medieval French, of course – noting the unsanctioned mating of his parents) and “Buzz off you pregnant sow” (again in Medieval French and alluding to an odd weight problem he had since infancy which made him look like he was shoplifting a gargoyle under his armor).
Lacking a sense of humor, said William the C proceeded to burn Mantes to the ground. As he rode triumphantly among the ruins, his horse hit a hot ember. The horse rolled over crushing the saddle horn against the royal rotundity. The blow was so strong it caused an internal puncture of the intestines. (Hang on – here comes Monty Python.)
His doctors fed him sweets and wine unknowingly helping to compound his infection. For several weeks his pain increased as did the size of his stomach. Finally, on this day he died. The royal court, fearing a posthumous revolt, headed for home. The royal servants seeing no one to see them stripped the royal chamber and then the royal body – of clothing and jewelry. All this while the infection in the royal cadaver continued to grow.
Finally, a delegation of Bishops, Abbotts, Friars, et. al., arrived to bury his ever-swelling majesty. As they rolled the royal coffin toward the altar, a small problem ensued. Tradition said the coffin should be closed. But the infected royal cadaver continued to swell even after being dressed and en-casketed.
First the altar boys tried to close the casket. Then progressively more of the religious and well intentioned assisted. With everyone pushing down, the skin surrounding the massive intestinal infection burst unleashing fluid and odor driving everyone out of St. Stephen’s Church in Caen and ultimately out of Caen itself. People reportedly came back into town after only a day or two and a few reportedly even re-entered the church in less than a month. After the burial it is said nothing grew on the grave for three years.
That great historical story by Art Cashin reminds me of the housing market. I look around Southwest Florida and see a great inventory of houses for sale at 40-60% of construction cost. The great deals are being swept up by investors, foreign buyers, retirees, and seasonal visitors but when is the local market going to participate? My guess is that the locals will jump into the housing market when construction starts to resume and prices are again on the rise. Don’t hesitate, the number of foreclosures and distressed properties are reducing and housing prices are already starting to rise.
Steve Geving
Premiere Plus Realty Co
www.nextgenerationrealtygroup.com
Serving Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Sanibel, Captiva, Lehigh Acres, Pine Island and Punta Gorda
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