Highlands Ranch High School - Mr. Sedivy
THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY VIII
HERE THE ENGLISH AND FRENCH HAVE FALLEN TOGETHER
IN BATTLE
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The Bretons begin to waver. Stallions, their bloody flanks flecked
with foam, stumble as their riders
turn in retreat. Despite Harold's order to stand fast as a defensive bulwark,
English rustics of the fyrd, or militia, filling out his ranks feel the flush of
victory and break out in pursuit.
HERE BISHOP ODO, HOLDING A MACE, URGES ON THE YOUNG
MEN
|
Trapped on a hillock in the valley, the over-anxious Anglo-Saxon militiamen
fight to the last man
against encircling invaders. Galloping past, Bishop Odo rallies the Norman cavalry
with his swinging mace.
In the melee William's horse is thrice cut from under him.
HERE IS DUKE WILLIAM |
EUSTACE |
HERE THE FRENCH ARE FIGHTING |
To quell rumor of his death, the duke doffs his helmet and cries,
"Look at me well!
I am still alive and by the grace of God I shall yet prove victor!"
Eustace of Boulogne, carrying the papal banner symbolizing Rome's approval of the
invasion, points out his commander.
AND THOSE WHO WERE WITH HAROLD HAVE FALLEN
|
As the long, bloody day draws to an end, the bone-weary, haggard Normans
call upon
their tired steeds for a final charge, vowing to breach the English line. In the
tapestry border, archers aim their arrows
over the wall of shields and death rains upon the Anglo-Saxons.
HERE KING HAROLD HAS BEEN KILLED
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The shafts take their toll. The shield wall begins to crumble, exposing
Harold to mortal danger.
Rushing in, a mounted Norman knight hews down the doomed monarch with one mighty
blow from his broadsword.
Their stalwart leader dead, their army shattered, the English have little heart left
for battle.
AND THE ENGLISH HAVE TURNED IN FLIGHT
|
"They... began to fly as swiftly as they could," wrote William
of Poitiers.
Behind them, "The blood-stained battleground was covered with the flower of
the youth and nobility of England."
The sun set on the field - and on Anglo-Saxon England.
(Scholars believe two missing panels at the end may have portrayed William on the
throne of England.)
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Mr. Sedivy's History Classes
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Government | Advanced Placement Modern European
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World History: Dawn of Civilization
to Napoleon - Units of Study
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