Scene 1
Harold is in France and has been captured by Count Guy, who is sitting on a throne.
© Reading Museum (Reading Borough Council)
Scene 2
William's messengers arrive and demand that Guy release Harold.
© Reading Museum (Reading Borough Council)
Scene 3
Still in France, Harold has been helping William defeat the Duke of Brittany. William honours Harold with the gift of arms.
© Reading Museum (Reading Borough Council)
Scene 4
William sits on his throne watching as Harold, each hand on a reliquary, swears an oath.
© Reading Museum (Reading Borough Council)
Scene 5
Back in England, Harold talks to King Edward, who is sitting on his throne. Westminster Abbey can be seen to the right.
© Reading Museum (Reading Borough Council)
Scene 6
Above, Edward is ill and speaks with Harold and his wife Edith, who is Harold’s sister. Below, Edward has died and is attended by a priest. On the right, a group of nobles point at Edward and offer Harold the crown.
© Reading Museum (Reading Borough Council)
Scene 7
Harold is crowned king.
© Reading Museum (Reading Borough Council)
Scene 8
A ship sails from England to France bringing the news of the crowning of Harold.
© Reading Museum (Reading Borough Council)
Scene 9
William hears the news that Harold is king. He orders the construction of a fleet of ships.
© Reading Museum (Reading Borough Council)
Britain’s Bayeux tapestry
Source: bayeuxtapestry.org.uk
A scene-by-scene commentary and teaching resources from Reading Museum.
Visit the site http://www.bayeuxtapestry.org.uk/The story of the tapestry
Source: bbc.co.uk
A clear, concise BBC Class Clip explaining the story told by the tapestry and the multiple interpretations of Harold’s oath to William.
See this video on bbc.co.uk http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-normans-the-story-of-the-bayeux-tapestry/10764.html
Reading Museum’s webpage about the tapestry
Source: readingmuseum.org.uk
Visit the site http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/collections/social-history/britain-bayeux-tapestry/Bayeux Tapestry animated
Source: Vimeo
An animation of the later portion of the Bayeux tapestry, focusing on the Battle of Hastings (with added gore and sound effects).
See this video on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/15598167
A day in the life of a 10 year old in Norman times
Source: bbc.co.uk
A short animation showing the life of a page training to become a knight.
See this video on bbc.co.uk http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/handsonhistory/normans.shtml
What happened to the Vikings
Source: bbc.co.uk
BBC primary history pages with text, images and videos, summarising the last Viking king; the Norman conquest and its impact on the Vikings in Britain.
Visit the site http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/vikings/what_happened_to_the_vikings/What happened to the Anglo Saxons
Source: bbc.co.uk
BBC primary history pages with text, images and video summarising the Saxons’ struggles with the Vikings, and the Norman conquest.
Visit the site http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/anglo_saxons/what_happened_to_the_anglo-saxons/The Normans
Source: bbc.co.uk
BBC primary history on the Battle of Hastings.
Visit the site http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/anglo_saxons/normans/The Battle of Hastings
bbc.co.uk
This Hands on History pack focuses on Reading Museum’s Bayeux tapestry
Download this documentOutside the classroom
Reading Museum
Source: readingmuseum.org.uk
Visit the site http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/collections/seeing-our-collections/bayeux-gallery/Battle Abbey and the site of the Battle of Hastings
Source: english-heritage.org.uk
Visit the site http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/1066-battle-of-hastings-abbey-and-battlefield/D-Day Museum, Portsmouth
Source: ddaymuseum.co.uk
Visit the site http://www.ddaymuseum.co.uk/overlord-embroideryEnglish Heritage
Source: english-heritage.org.uk
English Heritage maintains several Norman castles across the country.
Visit the site http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/education/free-entry/Norman churches
Source: visitchurches.org.uk
Visit the site http://www.visitchurches.org.uk/Ourchurches/Completelistofchurches/Church-of-St-Peter-St-Paul-Albury-Surrey/Westminster Abbey
Source: westminster-abbey.org
Westminster Abbey was built by Edward the Confessor. Edward was buried there, and both Harold and William were crowned there.
Visit the site http://www.westminster-abbey.org/