Viking Influence Viking Influence on the Bayeux on the Bayeux

TapestryTapestry

Viking ShipsViking Ships From a Standing Stone found on the Island of Gotland, From a Standing Stone found on the Island of Gotland,

Sweden. Ships were incredibly important to Viking culture. Sweden. Ships were incredibly important to Viking culture. The clearest example of Viking influence on the Bayeux The clearest example of Viking influence on the Bayeux

Tapestry would be the Viking longships.Tapestry would be the Viking longships.

Viking ShipsViking Ships

In Oseburg, Norway, a ship was excavated and measured to be 22 meters long and 5 meters wide.

Above: Viking Brooch depictingA longboat.

Right: archeologicalfind of a Viking longboat. Notethe broken mastand the raised prow and bow.Far right: artist’sdepiction of a longboat.

Viking Ships in the Bayeux Viking Ships in the Bayeux TapestryTapestry

Take a look at the shields on the red boat above. Vikings mounted their shields on the sidesof their ships when not rowing (They got in the way of the oars).

So What?So What? In the process of comparing these ships, we see In the process of comparing these ships, we see

square sails, raised prow and bow, long, wide decks square sails, raised prow and bow, long, wide decks for infantry and seaborne battles. We also see the for infantry and seaborne battles. We also see the use of both sails and oars and shields on the sides of use of both sails and oars and shields on the sides of the deck. The tapestry makes it clear that the the deck. The tapestry makes it clear that the Normans used Viking longboats in their invasion of Normans used Viking longboats in their invasion of England. Indeed, we see the longboat used by England. Indeed, we see the longboat used by Harold as well. This part of the tapestry depicts Harold as well. This part of the tapestry depicts Harold being captured by Count Guy. (Apprehendit)Harold being captured by Count Guy. (Apprehendit)

Even Still: So What?Even Still: So What?

The fact that the Normans and the English were The fact that the Normans and the English were using Viking ships proves a level of dissemination of using Viking ships proves a level of dissemination of ideas between the cultures at a practical level. ideas between the cultures at a practical level. Normans in Viking ships also provide an example of Normans in Viking ships also provide an example of the shared history and ancestry of all the groups the shared history and ancestry of all the groups involved.involved.

The use of Viking ships also suggests shared tactics The use of Viking ships also suggests shared tactics and understanding of Viking shipbuilding, since one and understanding of Viking shipbuilding, since one cannot sail or build such a vessel without some cannot sail or build such a vessel without some knowledge. And one cannot succeed in battle against knowledge. And one cannot succeed in battle against a foe without knowing the flaws or strengths of one’s a foe without knowing the flaws or strengths of one’s vessel. vessel.

The Vikings enjoyed incursions and invasions into The Vikings enjoyed incursions and invasions into Britain. That left an indelible mark on the English Britain. That left an indelible mark on the English language and customs, and thus influences the language and customs, and thus influences the Bayeux Tapestry.Bayeux Tapestry.

Vikings and EnglandVikings and England More important things to know about Vikings in this More important things to know about Vikings in this

period:period: ““According to the According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle,Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, compiled compiled

about 891, the first Viking raids against Engand occured about 891, the first Viking raids against Engand occured in the year 787. The most infamous of these early raids in the year 787. The most infamous of these early raids was the Danish attack at Lindesfarne in 793. This was the Danish attack at Lindesfarne in 793. This momentous event, we read in the momentous event, we read in the Anglo-Saxon Anglo-Saxon Chronicle,Chronicle, was presaged by terrible omens, including was presaged by terrible omens, including flashes of lightning and fiery dragons seen flying flashes of lightning and fiery dragons seen flying through the air.” (through the air.” (http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/ships.htmlhttp://www.pitt.edu/~dash/ships.html))

Towns ending with –by have Viking origins. Towns ending with –by have Viking origins. Vikings also were the settlers of York.Vikings also were the settlers of York. The English had to pay “danegeld” in order to keep the The English had to pay “danegeld” in order to keep the

Vikings from pushing further into English lands. The Vikings from pushing further into English lands. The “Dane Law” helped to end the constant bloodshed “Dane Law” helped to end the constant bloodshed between the two factions. between the two factions.

Viking Ship BattlesViking Ship Battles

While there was no sea-battle in the B.T., it is While there was no sea-battle in the B.T., it is important to note how sea-battles were important to note how sea-battles were handled, since we’re discussing Viking ships handled, since we’re discussing Viking ships and influence at the time.and influence at the time.

““A Viking sea battle would consist of each A Viking sea battle would consist of each opposing flotilla tying their boats side on and opposing flotilla tying their boats side on and sailing towards one another head on. When the sailing towards one another head on. When the boats collided, they would fight until one side boats collided, they would fight until one side was victorious or they were totally exhausted or was victorious or they were totally exhausted or they could not pass over the dead bodies in they could not pass over the dead bodies in front of them.” front of them.” (http://www.battle1066.com/vikings.shtml)(http://www.battle1066.com/vikings.shtml)

More on Viking TacticsMore on Viking Tactics

Amphibious Landing At PevenseyAmphibious Landing At Pevensey

The Shield-WallThe Shield-Wall

Utilizing spears and Utilizing spears and

shields in unison. Veryshields in unison. Very

effective at handling effective at handling

cavalry. Like riding intocavalry. Like riding into

a porcupine. a porcupine.

Vikings and 1066Vikings and 1066

For all intensive purposes the end of the For all intensive purposes the end of the Viking age coincided with 1066. King Harald’s Viking age coincided with 1066. King Harald’s invasion signals the end to Viking power. It is invasion signals the end to Viking power. It is rather interesting that the Battle of Stamford rather interesting that the Battle of Stamford Bridge does not appear in the tapestry, even Bridge does not appear in the tapestry, even though the Normans are busy building Viking though the Normans are busy building Viking vessels for their invasion, and arguably, the vessels for their invasion, and arguably, the invasion succeeded thanks to the events at invasion succeeded thanks to the events at Stamford Bridge. Weakened English forces, Stamford Bridge. Weakened English forces, after so long of a forced march, were logically after so long of a forced march, were logically at a military disadvantage. at a military disadvantage.

Some Ideological IssuesSome Ideological Issues

First and foremost of Viking values was that of the ring-First and foremost of Viking values was that of the ring-giver. The relationship between thane and ring-giver was giver. The relationship between thane and ring-giver was practically divine; betrayal was most certainly a taboo in practically divine; betrayal was most certainly a taboo in Viking culture. Harold swears his service to William on Viking culture. Harold swears his service to William on relics. The tapestry stresses this point. Harold’s betrayal relics. The tapestry stresses this point. Harold’s betrayal spits in the face of these values. The Vikings probably spits in the face of these values. The Vikings probably didn’t influence the Tapestry’s stress on this point, but didn’t influence the Tapestry’s stress on this point, but contextualizing these values relating to the tapestry contextualizing these values relating to the tapestry provides some understanding as to why breaking an oath provides some understanding as to why breaking an oath is such a serious offense. The values of the Vikings are is such a serious offense. The values of the Vikings are certainly echoed in the history of 1066, as well as in the certainly echoed in the history of 1066, as well as in the tapestry. tapestry.

Works CitedWorks Cited

http://www.battle1066.com/vikings.shttp://www.battle1066.com/vikings.shtmlhtml

http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/ships.htmlships.html