The Bayeux Tapestry & the The Battle of Hastings

October 14, 1066 is know as a pivotal year in medieval history as an English King dies and leaves a power vacuum that draws in three powerful claimants: a Viking from Norway, a French Norman, and and English Saxon. When English King Edward dies, Englishman Harold Godwinson is endorsed by the Witan, a royal council of advisors, to become the next King. Frenchman William, Duke of Normandy, says the throne was promised to him by the former King Edward, and starts to pull an army together to fight for the crown. At the same time, Viking King Harald Hardrada of Norway says the crown belongs to him, and he also gathers an army. Hardrada and his army invade England in the north, and King Harold goes to fight him in a battle at Stamford Bridge. Hardrada is badly defeated. Meanwhile, William of Normandy lands his army in the south of England, and King Harold now travels to meet William to do battle at Hastings. The video below covers this part of the battle. It focuses on battle strategy, weapons, and how the battle ends.

                             

                              

                                      Below: Norman Soldiers on horseback in the Bayeux Tapestry

Historians consider the Bayeux Tapestry a primary source of information about the Battle of Hastings. This artifact is 230 feet long and 20 inches high. How has such an unusual source survived over 900+ years?! Today it is kept in a museum, the Tapisserie de Bayeux in Bayeux, France. Here is a link to the museum that will give you information about how such a rare source is cared for today:
http://www.tapestry-bayeux.com/index.php?id=403