The Normans originally came from Scandinavia as Vikings and settled in Normandy in northern France. After invading Britain, they built castles to defend their new kingdom and traveled by boat, horseback, or cart pulled by cattle. Women wore long, loose gowns with wide sleeves and large head coverings, and were responsible for cooking, cleaning, childcare, weaving, sewing, and making clothes for their families. The Bayeux Tapestry provides evidence of their embroidery skills, though it is technically an embroidery rather than a tapestry.

1. The Normans were people who lived in Normandy in Northern France.
They were originally Vikings from Scandinavia.
They lived in wattle and daub huts with straw roofs.
After invading Britain they built castles to defend their new kingdom.
They travelled by boat, horseback or on carts pulled by cattle.

2. Men wore long tunics and cloaks.
The cloak was semicircle in shape. It was fastened over the
right shoulder or in the centre with a brooch.
Hoods were worn during the winter and they were also worn
under the helmets.
Women wore long loose gowns with wide sleeves.
Rich women wore silk gridles with gold thread, while poor
women wore gridles made of wool.
Women wore large wimples on their heads, not allowing the
hair to show.
Men and women wore leather shoes and boots.

3. Women were their own dressmakers and generally made their husbands’ clothes.
They cooked, cleaned, looked after their children, weaved and sewed.
Items like the Bayeux Tapestry are evidence of their skills and hidden contribution to history.
However, the Bayeux Tapestry is not really a tapestry (something woven), but an embroidery
(something sewn).
Emboridery was taught in royal and noble households and in monasteries.
Women also embroided flags, pennants and clothes which gave magnificence to all occasions
connected with battlefield and tournament.
In this scene we can see
William’s men preparing
for the invasion.