1. A GUIDE TO THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave
2. The Bayeux Tapestry The Bayeux Tapestry (actually an embroidery measuring over 230 feet long and 20 inches wide) describes the Norman invasion of England and the events that led up to it. It is believed that the Tapestry was commissioned by Bishop Odo, bishop of Bayeux and the half-brother of William the Conqueror. The Tapestry contains hundreds of images divided into scenes each describing a particular event. The scenes are joined into a linear sequence allowing the viewer to "read" the entire story starting with the first scene and progressing to the last. Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave
3. The Tapestry would probably have been displayed in a church for public view. History is written by the victors and the Tapestry is above all a Norman document. In a time when the vast majority of the population was illiterate, the Tapestry's images were designed to tell the story of the conquest of England from the Norman perspective. It focuses on the story of William, making no mention of Hardrada of Norway nor of Harold's victory at Stamford Bridge. Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave
4. Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave The English Channel
5. Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave Hastings countryside
8. Harold Godwinson confers with King Edward the Confessor and sets out on his journey . Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave
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10. Harold and his men prepare for a sea voyage with a final prayer and meal. Then they board their ships, taking dogs and falcons with them Their landing on the coast of France is met by the hostile Guy of Ponthieu . Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave
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16. Harold and William return to Normandy, where William's daughter Aelfgifu is betrothed to Harold Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave
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21. During the victory celebration William knights Harold, and Harold takes a solemn oath to become the man of William Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave
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26. Word of Harold's coronation travels to William Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave
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34. The Normans build their camp and prepare for battle . Left Hastings, and went to do battle with King Harold EXIERUNT DE HESTENGA AT VENERUNT AD PRELIUM CONTRA HAROLDUM REGEM The Norman army assembles Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave
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37. The Normans attack on horseback Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave
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42. The Anglo-Saxons defend the top of a hill, and William must prove to his men that he is still in charge . Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave
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45. “ Like a dream, four men surround me, one with a lance and three with knives. Time stops again, like ice, and now death enters through the skin and flesh, and finds the inner life and glory streams from every part of me, a burning glory pouring out from me like agony. Like light.” Nicoletta Cuzzolin - Liceo Calssico “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave
