The Norman Conquest of England 1066 The Bayeux Tapestry The Norman Conquest of England 1066

Birth of England Vikings to Normans who conquered the Saxons

What is the Bayeux Tapestry? A piece of linen cloth with woollen needlework stitching Technically not a tapestry, but an embroidery 231 feet by 20 inches 8 colors 72 scenes

Plot of the Tapestry The tapestry tells the story of the Norman conquest of England. Events leading up to the 1066 Norman invasion The invasion and battle itself

Cast of the Tapestry Edward the Confessor, King of England (1042 - Jan 1066) Harold Godwin, King of England (Jan - Oct 1066) William of Normandy, King of England (Oct 1066 - 1087) Bishop Odo of Bayeux

Origins of the Tapestry Commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, William’s half-brother Made in England between 1070-80 by women in Kent On completion, sent to cathedral in Bayeux, France Why does it look like a picture book? Written in Latin… why?

What can you see in it? 626 Human Figures 11 battle scenes 55 Dogs 3 Kings 3 Women 11 battle scenes 55 Dogs 202 Horses 33 buildings 41 ships 57 inscriptions in Latin

Who’s who? Normans Saxons

The Battle of Hastings – October 14, 1066 William (France) versus Harold (England) William’s 12,000 men versus Harold’s 7,000 men Foot soldiers, archers and cavalry fought all day Normans won

Edward dies Edward the confessor dies and is buried

Harold is crowned king This Slide shows Harold Godwin being crowned King of England

William meets with court William Decides to Attack

Building the ships This slide shows Williams men preparing wood, building ships and taking the ships down to the sea

Loading the ships Williams army take things such as food and armour to the ships where they will load them up

Loading the ships William leads his men onto the boats and they set sail for England

Sailing across the English Channel William and his army sail to England

Offloading Offloading

William puts on armor This shows William preparing to mount his horse in full armour.

Saxons gather This slide shows the English Saxons gathering.

Normans charge This slide shows the Norman cavalry ( horses ) charging into battle.

Normans attack & Saxon shield wall The normans are attacking on horseback, the Saxons using their shield wall This slide shows the start of the battle. The saxons are being attacked.

Fighting This slide shows all the fighting in the middle of the battle.

Fighting In this slide William is knocked off his horse by the Saxons. For a moment the Normans think he is dead, but then he raises his head as if to tell them he is alright.

That’s got to hurt This is the most famous picture of the tapestry. This shows King Harold. Look at the picture carefully and try to work out what is happening. Harold has just been shot through the eye with an arrow!! He tries to pluck the arrow out, but immediately after this he is struck down by a Norman warrior

Normans chase fleeing Saxons This slide shows the Normans chasing the Saxons away on their horses.

Bayeux Tapestry