Ouistreham, Normandy
After our intensive scrutiny of the American sector of the D-Day beaches yesterday, we went back through the centuries today to look at the evidence for another cross-channel invasion, the Norman Conquest of England. The Battle of Hastings in 1066, at which the Norman William the Bastard defeated the Saxon King Harold, is probably the most famous date in English history. It changed the landscape of England as Norman motte-and-bailey castles were hastily thrown up, to be succeeded by splendid stone keeps and Romanesque churches. Within a generation of 1066, the Normans were in Wales, Ireland and Scotland also. The British Isles already inhabited by Celts (many of whom had been Romanised) and by Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, now received a fresh cultural infusion from the knightly culture of Normandy. The richness of the English language is attributable to these diverse origins. Themselves of Norse origin, the Norman Conquerors of England were, in a sense, the last and most successful of the Vikings. Making an enormous military and cultural contribution to the history of Europe, from Ireland to the Levant, their disappearance from history in the course of the Middle Ages remains something of an enigma. The focus of our afternoon visit was the Bayeux Tapestry, housed in the town of that name, a remarkable visual primary source. A work of embroidery some 230 feet long and 20 inches wide, it gives a graphic account of the events leading up to the invasion culminating in King Harold's death on the battlefield. Created in the early years of the Conquest, the Bayeux Tapestry is a unique record of life in eleventh century Europe.
In the morning we had offered two optional excursions. One group explored the charming fishing port and artists colony of Honfleur (photo) while the other group visited Caen, where William the Conqueror lies buried, to visit the Peace Memorial. Opened in 1988, this innovative exhibit takes a sober look at man's inhumanity to man over the past century whilst pointing the way to peace for the future. It raised the spirits of the older generation present to see so many local school children taking a thoughtful interest in the various exhibits.
After our intensive scrutiny of the American sector of the D-Day beaches yesterday, we went back through the centuries today to look at the evidence for another cross-channel invasion, the Norman Conquest of England. The Battle of Hastings in 1066, at which the Norman William the Bastard defeated the Saxon King Harold, is probably the most famous date in English history. It changed the landscape of England as Norman motte-and-bailey castles were hastily thrown up, to be succeeded by splendid stone keeps and Romanesque churches. Within a generation of 1066, the Normans were in Wales, Ireland and Scotland also. The British Isles already inhabited by Celts (many of whom had been Romanised) and by Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, now received a fresh cultural infusion from the knightly culture of Normandy. The richness of the English language is attributable to these diverse origins. Themselves of Norse origin, the Norman Conquerors of England were, in a sense, the last and most successful of the Vikings. Making an enormous military and cultural contribution to the history of Europe, from Ireland to the Levant, their disappearance from history in the course of the Middle Ages remains something of an enigma. The focus of our afternoon visit was the Bayeux Tapestry, housed in the town of that name, a remarkable visual primary source. A work of embroidery some 230 feet long and 20 inches wide, it gives a graphic account of the events leading up to the invasion culminating in King Harold's death on the battlefield. Created in the early years of the Conquest, the Bayeux Tapestry is a unique record of life in eleventh century Europe.
In the morning we had offered two optional excursions. One group explored the charming fishing port and artists colony of Honfleur (photo) while the other group visited Caen, where William the Conqueror lies buried, to visit the Peace Memorial. Opened in 1988, this innovative exhibit takes a sober look at man's inhumanity to man over the past century whilst pointing the way to peace for the future. It raised the spirits of the older generation present to see so many local school children taking a thoughtful interest in the various exhibits.
