Think of it as an early graphic novel, replete with action. . .
portents . . .
slightly kooky characters. . .
a dead (defunctus est) king and the English kingdom in dispute.
Duke Harold believes that he is the inheritor of the kingdom...
Meanwhile, across the channel, William, Duke of Normandy, says he is the rightful heir (it's a long, complicated story and, remember, it was the winners who commissioned the tapestry.) William is building a navy . . . Trees are chopped down for timber .. .
The completed ships are hauled to the water . . .
(Note the darning on this fellow's face. The tapestry's about a thousand years old and in remarkably good shape.)
The Normans carry chain mail and weapons to the ships . . .
As well as wine (the Normans are descended from Vikings but they've been in France long enough to appreciate a good vintage . . .)
The invasion fleet sets off, tight-packed with men and horses ...
Some are uneasy--or perhaps queasy...
Some scratch their heads, wondering about the future...
The fleet lands at Pevensey. The horses are glad to get off.
(This exotic foliage makes me think of Dr. Seuss)
William and his Normans meet Harold and his English troops at Hastings, Battle of...
Terrific carnage ensues (but look at the artistry of those horses)
Harold takes an arrow to the eye and defunctus est. The English flee, William is king, and the English language becomes richer and more confusing by far.
Check out the whole story HERE
5 comments:
Fascinating. I once came across a lecture or some such that claimed that at one point it was a close call that English could be extirpated. It was suggested that French nobles marrying English women who taught their language to their children was perhaps what saved the language. At least I think this is what was claimed, but I used to listen to this lecture at bedtime and it would put me to sleep. :)
Thanks for telling the story through the years the tapestry has survived...it helped. Oh yes, the English defeated by William, who then parceled out favors to so many men, creating the various dynasties (or whatever the royal castles became.) I need the next chapter of English history explained in short verse and simple drawings.
Thanks!
Bayeux is situated at 28km from the town where I Live.
Unfortunately, the museum is closed .
Two years ago , there was an exhibition of the irish Tapestry of Game of Thrones ( a kind of new tapestry « or tele du Conquest) inside the Palace of the Bishop at Bayeux.
Thank you for the wonderful tapestry trailer!
It's a great place. As for Miss Yves, I used to live nearby but only visited it twice in my life and ready to visit it a third time. It is so enthralling and yes it was commissioned by William the Conqueror's half brother, the winner as you mentioned. The city has not been destroyed during the WW2 so it is a very interesting place to visit too.
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