What can 70 metres of embroidered linen tell us about how a kingdom fell? The Dorchester-Bayeux Society has the answer.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel James Porter casts a soldier’s eye over the Bayeux Tapestry and the Battle of Hastings.
The eminent military historian is giving a talk describing the social and political background situation in England and Normandy and what led up to the momentous battle of 1066.
Bayeux Tapestry: Dorset connection
Bayeux in Normandy, France is one of Dorchester’s twin towns, and this event is being hosted by the Dorchester-Bayeux Society – the oldest twinning society in Dorchester.
James will provide a wealth of illustrative images from the Bayeux Tapestry to describe the Battle of
Hastings.
This will include the construction of William The Conqueror’s invasion fleet of close to 800 vessels.
James will also narrate King Harold’s great victory of 1066 when he vanquished the Vikings in the Battle of Stamford Bridge; and the Norman invasion of England.
As head of the Wessex Military History Group and an associate member of the International Guild of
Battlefield Guides, James will deploy his knowledge of military tactics to examine the strategies of the two great commanders, and the battle itself in detail together with its outcome and consequences.
He will also tell us the story of the almost 1,000-year-old tapestry and how it came to be housed in Bayeux.
The Bayeux Tapestry is on display at the British Museum from September 10 and is generating huge interest in all things Hastings.
Dorset’s ‘The Bayeux Tapestry and the Battle of Hastings’ talk is at 7.30pm on Wednesday, October 14 – the exact day marking the 960th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.
The event is being held at Dorchester Town Hall in High East Street, DT1 1HF.
Tickets cost £5 for members and £6 for non-members.
They will be sold on the door and are also available online.