Normandy is famous for its history, especially World War II. Most people only know Normandy for WWII. When we were there, we discovered something that was almost 950 years older than WWII. The Bayeux Tapestry. The tapestry is 70+ meter long or 87 yards, (that's almost as long as a football field),and tells the story of William the Conqueror ascension to the throne of England in 1066.
The story begins with Old King Edward of England living his last days with no heir, so he sends Harold Earl of Wessex to find William the Duke of Normandy. William at the time was at war with the Kingdom of Brittany and away from his Capitol, Bayeux. So, Harold set off into the English Channel to find William. When he was mid-way through his journey he encountered a storm. The next day he landed not in Normandy, but in Brittany. The locals took him captive, and brought him to their capitol. When William captured their capitol he found Harold. Harold told William that he was the Earl of Wessex, sent by King Edward to find him.
On their way back to Bayeux they encountered and defeated enemies. Harold showed a great amount of valor thus William knighted him on the battlefield. When the company got back to Bayeux William immediately summoned his half brother, the Bishop Odo to prepare the Cathedral Notre Dame de Bayeux for Harold's official knighting ceremony. Harold then swore his allegiance to William and that William would become king of England after Edward.
When Harold returned to England he found that King Edward had died while he was gone. The people had no idea that Harold had made an allegiance to William and they pressured Harold to become king. Harold accepted and thus broke his allegiance to William. When William heard of this he then ordered all of his men to invade England. At the time of this England was already fighting the Vikings in the north. When William came and landed in the south Harold diverted all of his men to fight William and his men. When William was ready he attacked Harold's 7,000 ill-equipped men with his 7,000 archers swordsmen and knights. William devastated Harold's army and Harold was shot in the eye by an archer. William then slowly started to conquer all of England. In 1066 William the Bastard (this was is name for real) became known as William the Conquer.
I have always heard of the Famous tapestries that the Normans made. But I never knew that there was a huge one that defined Norman history. I really enjoyed going to Bayeux and seeing this made it even better. The reason why there is no pictures of the actual tapestry is because it was prohibited. Instead here are photos of the cathedral where the tapestry used to be displayed.
The story begins with Old King Edward of England living his last days with no heir, so he sends Harold Earl of Wessex to find William the Duke of Normandy. William at the time was at war with the Kingdom of Brittany and away from his Capitol, Bayeux. So, Harold set off into the English Channel to find William. When he was mid-way through his journey he encountered a storm. The next day he landed not in Normandy, but in Brittany. The locals took him captive, and brought him to their capitol. When William captured their capitol he found Harold. Harold told William that he was the Earl of Wessex, sent by King Edward to find him.
On their way back to Bayeux they encountered and defeated enemies. Harold showed a great amount of valor thus William knighted him on the battlefield. When the company got back to Bayeux William immediately summoned his half brother, the Bishop Odo to prepare the Cathedral Notre Dame de Bayeux for Harold's official knighting ceremony. Harold then swore his allegiance to William and that William would become king of England after Edward.
When Harold returned to England he found that King Edward had died while he was gone. The people had no idea that Harold had made an allegiance to William and they pressured Harold to become king. Harold accepted and thus broke his allegiance to William. When William heard of this he then ordered all of his men to invade England. At the time of this England was already fighting the Vikings in the north. When William came and landed in the south Harold diverted all of his men to fight William and his men. When William was ready he attacked Harold's 7,000 ill-equipped men with his 7,000 archers swordsmen and knights. William devastated Harold's army and Harold was shot in the eye by an archer. William then slowly started to conquer all of England. In 1066 William the Bastard (this was is name for real) became known as William the Conquer.
I have always heard of the Famous tapestries that the Normans made. But I never knew that there was a huge one that defined Norman history. I really enjoyed going to Bayeux and seeing this made it even better. The reason why there is no pictures of the actual tapestry is because it was prohibited. Instead here are photos of the cathedral where the tapestry used to be displayed.
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| Bayeux cathedral Notre Dame de Bayeux in the background |
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| Cathedreal |
Taylor: You write well...just not enough!!!
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