1066 and the Bayeux Tapestry

Ashleigh and Heidi

1. Edward the Confessor was the King of England.In January 1066, Edward died. He did not have any children and the fight for who should take his place on the throne led to the Norman invasion of 1066 and the Battle of Hastings.

Edward the Confessor

2 .Harold Godwineson was Edward’s Brother in law and the Earl of Wessex. He thought he should be King because because he was very ambitious and had actually fought Edward for the throne in 1051. He was crowned King 2 days after Edwards death

Harold Godwineson

William was the Duke of Normandy. William believed that Edward had promised him the throne when he joined forces with Edward the Confessor fight Harold Godwineson, when he tried to conquer Edward for the throne in 1051.

Harald Hardradar – was the King of Norway and a direct descendent of King Cnut. He thought Vikings should retake the throne as Edward had no heir to the throne.

Tostig- was Harold Godwineson’s Brother.He thought he should be King because he was jealous of his older brother’s successful life.

3..Who did become King in 1066 and how did this happen? William the Conqueror was King in the end after defeating Harold Godwineson who was originally king after Edwards death at the Battle of Hasting’s by shooting an arrow into his eye.

Edgar the Atheling- was Edward the Confessor’s Nephew. Edgar was the only blood relative to Edward the Confessor and was next in line for the throne. But the Witan did not agree with Edgar taking Edward’s place as he was only 14 years old at that stage.

4. Where were the two famous battles of 1066?

The first battle of 1066 was held at Stamford Bridge at Westminster, London, UK and the other – The Battle of Hastings was held at Hastings in London.

Battle of Stamford Bridge

Battle of Hastings

5. Why was 1066 such an important year?

The year 1066 was such an important year because it was the

year of 3 different Kings. The year 1066 was when William of Normandy successfully invaded England and became King William I after his victory at The Battle of Hastings.

a) The Normans invaded England in 1066 came from Normandy in Northern France; they landed in Pevensey, Southern English Coast b) A group of advisers to the king – they chose Harold Godwineson were the Witan.  c) An omen of bad things to come, seen in the night sky just after Harold was crowned in June of 1066  d) The half brother of William who had a historical embroidery made: Odo e) The archbishop that crowned Harold Godwineson was named Eldred. f) The battle between Harold and Harald was the Battle at Stamford Bridge. g) The sister of Harold and wife to Edward was Edith. h) The place where the final battle between Harold and William was at Hastings.

Questions

Bayeux Tapestry Analysis

Mother and son running out of burning house.

Burning house, men putting it out or setting on fire

Norman soldiers training for the battle of Hastings

William’s half brother, Odo.

William – having a discussion with Odo.

Men digging

A hill with a second defence on it. (Maybe Harold Godwineson)

Two towers and a wooden barrier

watchtower

Man commanding the soldiers

Man commanding diggers

King’s court animals

William Duke of Normandy is having a discussion with his half brother, Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, on the very far left of the scene under the roof. William is shown again on a high platform or stage indicating a commanding position over everyone as he receives news of Harold from a messenger on the right.

We can see this because the word in Latin, ‘Willihem’ is above both appearances of William.

The text at the top written in Latin says, "He ordered defences dug at Hastings". This time two defences can be seen. One is at the top of a hill, seen behind the men digging, consisting of two towers with what appears to be a wooden barrier on the top of a hill. To the left of the scene there are men that look like soldiers training for the battle the next day (the battle of Hastings). On the right a women and her child flee from a burning house. In the scene of the burning house, it looks like men are either putting out or setting the house on fire. The animals all above and under the whole scene are the animals from the Kings court.

The End

By Ashleigh Bridgers and Heidi Mitchell