[History] A Place in History: Bayeux

[Perikles]

Author: Perikles
Original Thread: A Place in History: Bayeux

A Place in History: Bayeux

A Place in History: Bayeux


Introduction

The city of Bayeux in Normandy, France has seen it's fair share of history over the past 1,000 years. Below I shall discuss 2 of the main events to happen in and around this small place. Bayeux is home to a rather beautiful Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1077, and is full of historical points of interest.



1066 and the Normans

The Bayeux Tapestry, which was created to commemorate the Norman conquest of Britain, is suprisingly hosted in this town. It is 50 cm by 70 m, which is quite incredible for something created in this time period. The tapestry depicts the conquest in good detail, showing most major events: from Harold swearing his oath to that William would be the next king of England, to the battle itself. The tapestry holds some mysteries, though, most famously the scene which historically shows the death of Harold, King of England, when he was shot in the eye by an arrow. Recently, historians have questioned the manner of his death. Another interesting fact about the tapestry is that it is not actually a tapestry but an embroided cloth.

World War II

Bayeux was the first major town to be liberated by the allies after the D-day assault on the 6 June, 1944 due to it's close proximity to Arromanches, the English Channel and Gold Beach. Also on June 14, 1944 General Charles de Gaulle, the wartime leader of the Free French and later president of the liberated country, made his first speech on french soil after the liberation here. The town is also home to the largest British war cemetery in Normandy, which is home to 4,648 soldiers from many nationalities, including some Germans.



Sources and Further Reading

Information on the Cemeteries of Normandy
Wiki on the Bayeux Tapestry
Wiki on Bayeux
Wiki on the Battle of Hastings
Wiki on the Battle for Normandy
D-Day