Bayeux tapestry

Today we found ourselves immersed in the world of William the Conquerer (originally William the Bastard due to the illegitimacy of his birth). Quite interesting contrasting what you learn about the battle of Hastings when you visit Battle and the focus is on King Harold as opposed to Bayeux where the focus is on the Normans, led by William. In Bayeux they barely mention the word Hastings and tend to focus on decption of Harold over his oath to William; visiting Battle Harold is definitely hard done by.

The story goes the King Edward sends Harold to William in Normandy to let him know that when Edward dies William can be king of England. Harold passes on the message and hangs out with Wiliam for a while, most notably the two of them attack Brittany. Harold heads back to England, Edward dies and Harold decides to be king, regardless of the deal with William. William is pissed, builds some ships, sails to England and the rest is history.

The Bayeux tapestry tells this story, although far more eloquently than I have. It is 70 metres long, made by monks in England around 1088, commissioned by Willaims brother the Bishop of Bayeux, Odon. Odon is actually pretty important in the whole story. He was beside Wiliam in Hastings, built the cathedral in Bayeux (really quite impressive) and various other feats.

From Bayeux we drove to Mont Saint Michel for the evening.