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The Bayeux tapestry is a historical record and

a masterpiece created in the 11th

century, It is an embroidery on a linen cloth using wools

of various colours.

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The manufacture of this work was, very probably,

entrusted to an Anglo-Saxon workshop

supervised by Odon de Conteville, Bishop of Bayeux and half brother of William the

Conqueror.

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This embroidered cloth is over 70 metres long and 50

centimetres high, and retraces the history of the conquest of England by

William the Conqueror.

The story begins in 1064..

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At this time, Edward the Confessor, the King of England, feeling that his death was imminent and having no children, requested his brother-in-law Harold to go to France and inform ..

..William, the Duke of Normandy, that he,

William, had been named by Edward as his successor to the

throne of England …

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Edward the Confessor sends Harold to inform William that he will succeed to the

throne of England.

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Before leaving, Harold prays in Boscham church for heaven’s

blessing on his journey.

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William pays the Count of Ponthieu a ransom for Harold’s release. Harold is set free thanks to William

Winds force Harold’s ships

aground on land belonging to Count Guy of

Ponthieu who takes him prisoner.

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Negotiations between William and Harold.

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William’s

daughter,

Aelfgyve, is

promised in

marriage to

Harold

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William asks Harold to fight

with him

The Norman army marches into Dol, then

they attack the towns of

Rennes and Dinan.

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Opposite Mont Saint Michel they cross the Couesnon river and

horses sink into quicksand.

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The Duke of Britanny surrenders and hands over

the keys of the city on the tip of his lance.

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Harold is

knighted by Willia

m

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They go to Bayeux and here, touching two reliquaries, Harold

swears fealty to William.

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Then Harold puts to sea again to go back to England and once in

England he marches to the King’s Palace to report to him on his mission to Normandy.

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Edward utters his last requests and is prepared for burial by the priests and servants

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Edward’s corpse is carried to St. Peter’s

church.

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Harold receives the orb and sceptre at his

coronation.

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Astrologers announce the appearance of a comet, an

evil omen for Harold.

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William is informed by his spies of Edward’s death and orders an

invasion fleet to be built.

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The fleet is being built.

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The launching of the vessels.

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Weapons and wine are carried on board. The fleet sets sail for

England.

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The Duke’s ship lands at Pevensey where the men

disembark the horses.

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The Norman horsemen make for Hastings looking for food.

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Wadar, one of William’s intendants, supervises the

cooks.

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The servants bring in roasted meat and fowl.

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William at a banquet held in his honour, surrounded by his barons

and Bishop Odon, his step-brother.

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A fortified camp is built.

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A watchman comes to William to warn him of Harold’s movements. A

house, which could impede the army’s progress, is burned down.

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The Normans advance in battle array. As he advances, William is told that the Saxon

army is close at hand.

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The two armies start the battle.

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Death of Lewine and Gyrd, Harold’s brothers.

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The battle is raging.

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To prove that he has not been wounded, Duke William takes off his helmet and rallies his men around him.

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Harold’s army is cut to pieces.

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Harold dies after being shot in the eye

with an arrow

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His victory over the Saxon army on 14th

October 1066 ...

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… made William Duke of Normandy, William the

Conqueror, King of England.