The Norman conquest of England has been a seminal event, albeit with a lengthy lead-up. It was linked to the connections between Anglo-Saxons and Normans and also to the personal character of the duke of Normandy. William combined the will to rule with military skills. When King Edward died childless in 1066, William declared his claim to the English crown. William invoked promises by both the late king and his opponent Harold Godwinson. However, Harald Hardråde, King of Norway, also aspired to the English crown. In the autumn of 1066, Harold Godwinson initially fought the Norwegian successfully, but then lost to William and was killed in the Battle of Hastings. William was crowned in London on Christmas Day.
Battle Abbey, 1130–60
Parchment
Oxford, The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, MS E Museo 93, fol. 8v
This document, inconspicuous at first glance, is a great treasure. It is a copy of the list of ships, which accompanied Duke William to England in 1066. The list names fourteen Norman barons, who contributed between 40 and 60 ships each. The total number of ships is given as 776. The document ends with the information that William’s wife, Duchess Matilda, had “equipped a ship called ‘Mora’ in honour of her husband”, i.e. she financed and equipped it to made it a present to her husband.
The ship list describes the Mora in more detail, saying that “she had on her bow the statue of a golden boy pointing to England with his right hand and holding an ivory horn to his mouth with his left”. This description matches a depiction on the Bayeux Tapestry. This depiction can be found in the didactic station (The Normans are in the detail!) on the other side of this room.
England, around 1280–1300
Parchment
London, The British Library, Cotton MS Vitellius A XIII/1, fol. 3v
The miniature shows the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and is one of the few surviving pages of a manuscript that tells the story of the English kings from Edward “the Confessor” up to the 13th century. The Battle of Hastings is a key event that is depicted in a particularly colourful
way. William is represented on the right, holding a red shield with three lions, while thrusting his lance through the chest of his opponent Harold Godwinson (left).
England, Peterborough, around 1121–1140
Parchment
Oxford, The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, MS Laud Misc. 636, fol. 65r
The so-called Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a collection of annals in Old English, which exist in various versions. The Peterborough Chronicle on display is the most comprehensive version and offers invaluable insights into the Norman Conquest and rule from the perspective of the conquered. Opened is the passage in which the author makes a tribute to King William on his death referring to his good and his bad qualities. Although he tries to remain neutral, a negative assessment predominates. The author of the chronicle, which was written in Peterborough, sympathises with the conquered population and describes the suffering they had to endure.
"If anyone wishes to know what sort of man he was, or what honour he had, or of how many lands he was lord, then we will write about him just as we who have looked upon him and at one time lived in his court, perceived him. The king William, about whom we speak, was a very wise man, and very powerful, and more worshipful and stronger than any of his predecessors were. he was kind on those good men who loved God, and stern beyond measure to those men who opposed his will. In the same place where God granted him that he might conquer England he raised a famous minster, and set monks there and endowed it well. In his days the famous minster in in Canterbury was built, and also many others over England. Also this land was greatly filled with monks, and they lived their life according to the rule of St. Benedict, and Christendom was such in his day that every man who wanted to, followed what pertained to his order. Also he was very worhsipful. He wore his roya crown three times each year, as often as he was in England. At Easter he wore it in Winchester, at Pentecost in westminster, at midwinter in Gloucester; and there were then with him all the powerful men over England; archbishops and diocesan bishops, abbots and earls, thegns and knights. He was alos a very stern man, and violent, so that no one draed to do anything against his will."
Production: eichfelder artworks
Length: 03:43 min
There are two sides to every story and this is also true of the Norman Conquest. We can only speculate about how the Anglo-Saxon population felt about the conquest and their new ruler. But they were probably not particularly pleased. Listen to a fictional conversation between an Anglo-Saxon and a Norman woman who share their views on the events and their protagonists.
Production: Sabine Weber-Janz
Linen, wool
The copy of this scene from the Bayeux Tapestry was hand-embroidered with thin wool and linen and was made by Mrs Sabine Weber-Janz in her spare time over a period of 10 years. With her loan, she provides the visitors with an impression of the original colourfulness and texture of the famous tapestry.
Bayeux, 13th c.
Wood
Bayeux, Le Trésor de la Cathédrale, no Inv.
Even if this chest seems unspectactular at first sight, it is actually a real treasure chest. It is in fact the storing chest of the Bayeux Tapestry. The Tapestry was publicly presented only at specific times every year. In the meantime, it was rolled ab and stored safely in the cathedral’s treasury. The Tapestry is mentioned in the Bayeux cathedral’s inventory for the first time in 1476.
Experience the visual power of the entire Bayeux Tapestry. Follow the prehistory of the Norman Conquest and the events of 1066 up to the Battle of Hastings. The story is told over a total length of almost 70 m.
Found in the river Maas, 11th/12th c.
Iron
Mainz, Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Inv. O.39806
Nasal helmets of this type are also called “Norman helmets”. The nasal helmet got its name from a nose piece (nasal) that served to protect the nose and face in battle. The helmet bell was slightly pointed, which increased the protective effect. From the Bayeux Tapestry and other depictions of Normans, this type of helmet is well known and often associated with the them. The example shown here was found in the Meuse and is one of the few Norman helmets that have survived intact.
Colchester, 10th/11th c.
Iron
On loan from Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service, Inv. COLEM:1916.3507
The axe is often considered a typical Viking weapon, but both the attacking Normans and the Anglo-Saxons also used it at the Battle of Hastings. Axes with a broad edge have a long tradition and are also known from earlier Viking or Danish settlements in England. The shape of the axe presented here is reminiscent of representations of battle axes on the Bayeux Tapestry.
York, 866–1066
Iron
York, York Museums Trust (Yorkshire Museum), Inv. YORYM: 1977.49
In addition to axes, there are many swords on the Bayeux Tapestry. They were important weapons in battle and were among the most important and priced possessions of knights. A sword often accompanied a warrior for all of his (and maybe sometimes even her) career. This sword was found in York.
The Bayeux Tapestry tells the story of the conquest of England by William “the Conqueror”. Besides the main story, however, the tapestry also has many details to offer that are easily overlooked at first glance. Discover what secrets the tapestry holds and look closely!
What did it feel like to conquer England alongside the Norman Duke? Find out by dressing as a Norman yourself. Selfies are explicitly allowed here! Upload your picture with #normannheim on social media and tag @rem_mannheim in your posts and stories.
Production: Faber Courtial
Length: 05:00 min