The Bayeux Tapestry, a nearly 1,000-year-old embroidered cloth depicting the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England and its aftermath, is on display in the United Kingdom for the first time since its creation. The King of England and the president of France recently visited the British Museum to view the artifact.
The tapestry, believed to have been created in the 11th century, is 230 feet long and features 626 figures, 190 horses, 37 ships, and 33 buildings. It recounts the story of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, an event that significantly altered the course of British history. While the tapestry provides a detailed visual narrative, some of the events it portrays have been subject to historical debate.
The Events of 1066
The year 1066 was marked by a succession crisis following the death of King Edward the Confessor on January 5. As Edward lay dying, he indicated that Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex and his wife's brother, should succeed him. The following day, the Witan, a council of nobles and churchmen, convened at Westminster Abbey to confirm Harold's claim, and he was crowned king.
However, Harold's claim was challenged. Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, asserted his right to the throne based on an agreement with a previous king. Simultaneously, William, Duke of Normandy, believed he had a legitimate claim through his familial ties to Edward and an oath of support sworn by Harold. William began preparations for an invasion, initiating a shipbuilding program to transport his forces to England.
Confronted by these threats, Harold secured the loyalty of northern nobles by agreeing to marry their sister and then began assembling an army in the south to counter the potential Norman invasion. By March, thousands of men were gathered on the Isle of Wight. William, meanwhile, was constructing a fleet of approximately 700 ships to carry his army and horses.
Shifting Fortunes and Invasions
A celestial event, now recognized as Halley's Comet, appeared in the sky in late April. The English viewed it as an omen of doom, while William interpreted it as divine approval for his invasion.
By September 8, with William's invasion plans delayed by weather and his troops growing restless, Harold disbanded his army. On the same day, Harald Hardrada, accompanied by Harold's exiled brother Tostig, landed in northern England with a large fleet. This invasion culminated in the Battle of Fulford on September 20, where the Viking forces defeated English earls Edwin and Morcar near York.
Harold responded by leading a rapid march north with his elite Housecarls, gathering additional troops along the way. On September 25, his army surprised the Norwegians at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. The battle resulted in the deaths of both Harald Hardrada and Tostig, and the near-complete destruction of the Viking invasion force, marking the last Viking incursion into England.
Three days later, on September 28, William of Normandy's fleet landed at Pevensey on the East Sussex coast. He immediately began constructing a motte-and-bailey castle.
The Battle of Hastings
On October 1, news of the Norman landing reached King Harold in York, where his army was depleted from the Battle of Stamford Bridge and the arduous march south. Although Harold reinforced his army with the Fyrd, a levy of working men, these soldiers were less trained and equipped than his seasoned troops. His army was primarily composed of infantry, with limited cavalry and archers.
William's force, in contrast, was a more balanced fighting unit with a significant portion of cavalry and archers. By October 11, Harold had left London and ordered his troops to muster near Hastings. The English established their camp on October 13, strategically damming a stream to create marshy ground that would impede the enemy's advance.
The Battle of Hastings commenced on Saturday, October 14. Harold deployed his army in a shield wall formation along the ridge, with his most experienced men on the flanks and less experienced troops positioned to the right. The Normans attacked the hill, initiating the battle with the sound of trumpets. Initial Norman attacks, including flights of arrows and cavalry charges, were repelled by the disciplined English shield wall.
During the battle, William was unhorsed, leading to rumors of his death, but he quickly remounted and rallied his troops. A critical turning point occurred when some English soldiers broke ranks to pursue the retreating Normans, falling victim to William's tactic of the feigned retreat. This maneuver lured the English down the hill, where they were cut down by Norman cavalry.
As the day wore on, the English shield wall began to fracture. In the late afternoon, Norman forces broke through the left flank, reaching Harold. He and his remaining Housecarls were overwhelmed and killed. The exact manner of Harold's death has been debated, with the Bayeux Tapestry famously depicting him being struck by an arrow in the eye, though some accounts suggest he was hacked down by swords.
By approximately 5 p.m., William had secured victory, though at a significant cost, with thousands of casualties on both sides. William of Normandy was subsequently known as William the Conqueror.
Aftermath
Following the battle, William faced challenges in identifying Harold's body. Accounts differ on how this was resolved, with some suggesting his widow identified him, while others claim his body was thrown into the sea.
On Christmas Day, William the Conqueror was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey. Harold's sons attempted to rebel but were defeated and fled to Ireland. The family of Harold's mother and widow also dispersed, with some members fleeing the country.
The Bayeux Tapestry, a significant historical document and artifact, continues to offer insights into this pivotal period of English history. Its current display at the British Museum provides a unique opportunity for the public to engage with the events of 1066.