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WAR
AND ART
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THE
BAYEUX TAPESTRY (CIRCA 1070A.D.): CELEBRATING
THE NORMAN CONQUEST OF ENGLAND IN 1066 |
Updated:
November 7, 2003
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These Study Guides on War and Art were originally prepared for a course entitled "Responses to War: An Intellectual and Cultural History" given in the Department of History at The University of Adelaide between 1989 and 1999.
34. Harold is struck in the eye by an arrow and dies.
The 35 images and their accompanying descriptions originally came from Carolyn Schriber's medieval history website ORB - http://orb.rhodes.edu/schriber/bayeux_tapestry.html
C.H. Gibbs-Smith, The Bayeux Tapestry (London: Phaidon, 1973).
Is this an example of Norman war propaganda?
A 203 feet long embroidery (in comic book style) made a dozen or so years after Battle of Hastings (1066) which confirmed the Norman Conquest of England by William the Conqueror. Made in England for William's half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. Pro-Norman depiction of events leading up to invasion: scene by scene snapshots of medieval life and war.
01 - Harold Godwinson confers with King Edward the Confessor and sets out on his journey.
02 - Harold and his men prepare for a sea voyage with a final prayer and meal. Then they board their ships, taking dogs and falcons with them.
03 - Their landing on the coast of France is met by the hostile Guy of Ponthieu.
04 - Harold is taken prisoner.
05 - While Harold talks with Guy, William of Normandy prepares a rescue mission.
06 - William's men hurry to Beaurain.
07 - Guy surrenders his prisoner to William.
08 - Harold and William return to Normandy, where William's daughter Aelfgifu is betrothed to Harold.
09 - Harold and William celebrate their new relationship by fighting together against Conan of Brittany, but disaster nearly strikes at Mont. St. Michel.
10 - The battles continue at Dol and Rennes.
11 - At Dinan, the Duke of Brittany surrenders to William.
12 - During the victory celebration William knights Harold, and Harold takes a solemn oath to become the man of William.
13 - Harold returns to England.
14 - Edward the Confessor dies.
15 - Harold is crowned King of England. Look for Haley's Comet.
16 - Word of Harold's coronation travels to William.
17 - William orders the Normans to begin building a fleet.
18 - The ships take on their supplies.
19 - The horses board, and the ships set sail.
20 - The fleet sails under the protection of the pope (look for his banner) and lands at Pevensey.
21 - The Normans disembark and ride to Hastings.
22 - The cooks prepare food.
23 - William and his lords celebrate at a banquet.
24 - The Normans build their camp and prepare for battle.
25 - The Norman army assembles.
26 - The Normans ride out to meet the Anglo-Saxons.
27 - Harold is warned of the advance, and William gives a pep talk to his men.
28 - The Normans attack on horseback.
29 - The Anglo-Saxons meet their attack on foot.
30 - Harold's brothers are killed in the battle.
31 - The battle rages.
32 - The Anglo-Saxons defend the top of a hill, and William must prove to his men that he is still in charge.
33 - Newly encouraged, the Normans attack viciously.
34 - Harold is struck in the eye by an arrow and dies.
35 - The Normans are victorious.
