Last modified: 2004-03-27 by ivan sache
Keywords: bayeux tapestry | tapisserie de bayeux | william the conqueror | harold | hastings | normandy |
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The Bayeux Tapestry is a masterpiece of Romanic art, which was miraculously preserved in a very good state until today.
The city of Bayeux, in Normandy, the former capital city of the Gaul tribe of Bajocasses, was the cradle of the Norman dynasty. The famous Viking Rollo (a.k.a. Rolf, Roleuf, Areulf etc.), the founder of the dynasty, married Popa, the daughter of count Béranger, governor of the city of Bayeux. Their son, later duke Guillaume Longue-Epée (William Long-Sword) was born in Bayeux in 905. Bayeux remained for a long period a Scandinavian city, in which Old Norse was spoken, as opposed to other cities, like Rouen, where French rapidly replaced Old Norse.
King of England Edward the Confessor had no descendants. He seemed to have chosen as successor his cousin, William of Normandy. He sent Harold, who was the favorite of the Saxon nobility, to announce his choice to William. Harold had to recognize officially the rights of William on the throne of England. By the so-called "Bayeux Oath", he swore on the relics that "death only could prevail him to keep his promise". However, on 5 January 1066, he accepted the crown of England after Edward's