The Bayeux Tapestry

King Edward

Harold, the English Duke, rides towards Bosham with his men at arms

The wind in their sails…

Duke William returns to his palaceaccompanied by Harold

A Saxon messenger goes to find Duke William

…here duke Harold pulls them out of the quicksand

Duke William and his army come to Mount St Michael

Duke William’s soldiers then attack Dinan (Bretons)

Where Harold swears an oath to Duke William

Here Harold returns to England

And he came to find King Edward

And here King Edward’s body is taken to the church of St Peter the Apostle

Here king Edward converses with his faithful companions and here he dies (in this sequence)

Here, Harold, King of the English,Sits on his throne

They look at a star (Halley’s comet was visible in England at the end of April 1066)

Here Duke William orders ships to be built

They take arms aboard the ships and drag a cart laden with wine and more arms on board

Here the ships are launched

Here Duke William crosses the seaon a large ship

And here the soldiers hurry on to Hastings…

Here they cook the meat and servants perform their duty…

…and the bishop blesses the food and the drink

He orders a camp to be built at Hastings

Here William is brought news about Harold

Here a house is set on fire

Here soldiers leave Hastings and go into combat against King Harold

Here both English and French succumb during their fighting

This is Duke William

Here King Harold dies

And the English take a flight