Highlands Ranch High School - Mr. Sedivy
Highlands Ranch, Colorado

The Entire Bayeux Tapestry - Part V

Stalled once again at St. Valéry, the armada waits, but "at length the longed-for wind began to blow," wrote William of Poitiers." All raised their hands and voices in thanks to heaven." Men string hauberks on poles, shoulder bundles of swords, and load wineskins, axes, and lances.

A cart carries javelins, helmets, and a barrel of wine. "Tumultuously encouraging one another they went on board with utmost haste," the chronicler continues. Packed from bow to stern with men and horses, the ships set sail. The Conqueror's fighting force numbers some 7,000 men.

In darkness, the fleet slips across the Channel. A brilliant lantern, rallying point for the ships, hangs atop the mast of the flagship MORA, built for William by his wife Matilda. "That which carried the duke, more eager than the others for victory, quickly left the rest behind. ..."

"In the morning an oarsman sent by the duke to the masthead... could see nothing but sea and sky," wrote the chaplain. But when the fleet caught up, "the numberless masts clustered together looked like trees in a forest." Finally the horizon becomes England and horses leap ashore.

Seamen beach their ships on Pevensey's broad sands and the host lands without incident, since Harold has raced far northward to meet and brilliantly defeat Norwegian invaders led by King Harald Hardraada at Stamford Bridge. Unopposed, William and his men fan out toward Hastings, a more suitable harbor if escape should prove necessary.

Marauding and pillaging, the duke hopes to provoke Harold into immediate battle while Norman supplies hold and before the English forces can rest and recoup. Sheep, oxen, and pigs fall prey to the soldiers.