The picture shows a scene from the Bayeux tapestry.
What is the Bayeux tapestry; what historical event does it tell the story of, when was the event?
The Bayeux tapestry tells the story of the Norman invasion of England in 1066 and the battle of Hastings. This was the last time England was successfully invaded. The invasion was definitely successful for the Normans.
Why? What happened at the battle of Hastings?
At the battle of Hastings, the English King Harold was killed along with huge numbers of the English Saxon army, Nobles and Lords. After the battle of Hastings, the French Normans took over the country.
When did they go back to France?
The Normans never went back to France. They built castles and settled in England. Many people living in England today could be descended from Normans who invaded England back in 1066.
At what point did their descendants become English?
Today the Bayeux tapestry is celebrated as a magnificent treasure of the medieval world, showing a significant event in English history. It lives in Bayeux, France, even though it shows a battle that took place in England.
When was the tapestry last in England?
The tapestry was last in England 900 years ago, when it was created. It is thought (though we cannot be sure) that the tapestry was made in England, probably in Barking or Canterbury, a few years after the Norman conquest as a present for William the Conqueror.
It only shows the battle from the Norman point of view; why is that?
Who do you think stitched the tapestry? Which side of the war were they on?
There are different points of view about the Bayeux tapestry. Professor Janina Ramirez is an art historian and she says,
"It shouldn't be called the Bayeux Tapestry, as it is not a tapestry but rather an embroidery, and it was made in England, most probably by nuns at Barking Abbey. The sheer skills of the women that made it is barely ever discussed. They are working on stretches of linen sometimes 14 metres long, sat shoulder to shoulder, stitching an account of the decimation of their loved ones and their country. They were stitching for their lives, as all around them the political and physical landscape of England was transformed by brutal invaders. It should be known as a 'mistresspiece' rather than a 'masterpiece', as every stitch we see was made by women!"
What is Jamina saying here, why were the nuns 'stitching for their lives'?
What are the arguments for and against changing the name of the tapestry?
Why is is it kept in France?
Last week, King Charles visited the tapestry with Emanual Macron the President of France. King Charles gave his speech partly in French and said though the tapestry recounts a conflict, "here it is today more than a thousand years later, as a precious symbol of trust, when trust seems sadly to be in short supply between nations."
What does King Charles mean by that?
Why did he speak in French?
This tapestry shows the English King from 1000 years ago being killed in battle by a French army.
Should the present King of England be viewing this tapestry with the French President?
What does this show about wars and battles and history?
What can we learn from the Bayeux tapestry?
Is this about No Outsiders?
Which British value is this assembly about?
Do you want this assembly as a power point? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org
I usually send these out on a Sunday morning.
No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat (scheme of work for primary schools)
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