The Bayeux Tapestry, a nearly 1,000-year-old embroidered cloth depicting the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England, has been unveiled at the British Museum in the United Kingdom. This marks the first time the artifact has been displayed in Britain since its creation by English needlewomen in Kent.

The 230-foot frieze illustrates the story of the Battle of Hastings, featuring 626 figures, 190 horses, 37 ships, and 33 buildings. Its detailed narrative provides a unique, albeit sometimes contested, account of the pivotal year 1066.

The Road to Hastings

The year 1066 began with the death of King Edward the Confessor on January 5. As he lay dying without an heir, he indicated his brother-in-law, Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, as his successor. The following day, the Witan, a council of nobles and churchmen, convened at Westminster Abbey to ratify Edward's choice, leading to Harold's coronation.

However, Harold's claim to the throne was challenged by two other figures: Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, who based his claim on a deal with a previous king, and William, Duke of Normandy. William asserted a familial connection to Edward and claimed Harold had sworn an oath to uphold William's right to the succession.

Throughout February and March, Harold worked to consolidate his position. He secured the loyalty of northern Earls Edwin and Morcar by agreeing to marry their sister, another Edith. Meanwhile, William began constructing a fleet of approximately 700 ships to transport his invasion force of 7,000 men and 2,000 horses.

Later in April, both sides witnessed Halley's Comet. While the English viewed it as a dire omen, William interpreted it as a divine sign of endorsement for his invasion.

Invasions and Battles

In early September, with William's invasion stalled by unfavorable weather and his forces growing restless, Harold disbanded his army. However, on September 8, Harald Hardrada of Norway, allied with Harold's exiled brother Tostig, landed in northern England with a substantial force.

Simultaneously, on September 12, William's fleet set sail from Normandy. Despite losing some ships in storms, the main body of his fleet eventually took shelter in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme.

Harold was forced to march his army north to confront the Norwegian invasion. On September 20, the Viking forces defeated Edwin and Morcar at the Battle of Fulford, two miles south of York. Harold's swift 240-mile march brought his army to Yorkshire by September 25, where they surprised the Norwegians. The ensuing Battle of Stamford Bridge resulted in a decisive English victory, with both Harald Hardrada and Tostig killed. This engagement marked the last Viking incursion into England.

Three days after Stamford Bridge, on September 28, William landed unopposed at Pevensey on the East Sussex coast. He immediately began constructing a motte-and-bailey castle.

The Battle of Hastings

Upon hearing of William's landing, Harold, whose army was depleted from the northern campaign and the arduous march south, began moving his forces back towards London. He supplemented his army with the 'fyrd,' a levy of less-trained working men, bringing his numbers to roughly 7,000. His army was primarily composed of foot soldiers, with limited cavalry and archers.

By October 13, the English army had made camp on a hill seven miles from Hastings. The night before the battle, a small stream at the bottom of the hill was dammed, creating marshy ground that would limit the enemy's approach.

On October 14, Harold positioned his men in a shield wall formation along the ridge. The battle commenced at sunrise with Norman attacks that were initially repelled by the Saxon shield wall. Norman cavalry charges also proved largely ineffective against the entrenched English.

William's forces employed a feigned retreat tactic, which lured some of the English shield wall to break ranks and pursue. This proved disastrous as the Norman cavalry wheeled back to attack the exposed English soldiers.

The battle raged throughout the day, an unusually long engagement for the era. By late afternoon, Harold's brothers and nephew had been killed, and the shield wall was fracturing. Harold himself was surrounded and killed by Norman knights. Contrary to popular belief perpetuated by an image on the Bayeux Tapestry, he was not killed by an arrow to the eye, but rather hacked down in close combat.

By 5 p.m., William had secured victory, though at a high cost, with an estimated 2,000 Norman and 4,000 Anglo-Saxon soldiers killed.

Aftermath

William of Normandy was crowned King William I of England on Christmas Day in Westminster Abbey. Harold's sons attempted a rebellion but were defeated and fled to Ireland. Harold's widow, Edith Swanneck, and his mother fled to Eastern Europe. A posthumous son, named Harold, was born to his queen.

King Charles III of England and French President Emmanuel Macron recently visited the British Museum to view the Bayeux Tapestry. The tapestry, a significant historical document, offers a detailed visual account of one of the most consequential events in British history.