Viking Influence on the Bayeux Tapestry

1
Viking Influence on the Bayeux Tapestry
2
Viking Ships

• From a Standing Stone found on the Island of
  Gotland, Sweden. Ships were incredibly important
  to Viking culture.
• The clearest example of Viking influence on the
  Bayeux Tapestry would be the Viking longships.

3
Viking Ships
Above Viking Brooch depicting A
longboat. Right archeological find of a Viking
longboat. Note the broken mast and the raised
prow and bow. Far right artists depiction of a
longboat.
In Oseburg, Norway, a ship was excavated and
measured to be 22 meters long and 5 meters wide.
4
Viking Ships in the Bayeux Tapestry
Take a look at the shields on the red boat above.
Vikings mounted their shields on the sides of
their ships when not rowing (They got in the way
of the oars).
5
So What?

• In the process of comparing these ships, we see
  square sails, raised prow and bow, long, wide
  decks for infantry and seaborne battles. We also
  see the use of both sails and oars and shields on
  the sides of the deck. The tapestry makes it
  clear that the Normans used Viking longboats in
  their invasion of England. Indeed, we see the
  longboat used by Harold as well. This part of the
  tapestry depicts Harold being captured by Count
  Guy. (Apprehendit)

6
Even Still So What?

• The fact that the Normans and the English were
  using Viking ships proves a level of
  dissemination of ideas between the cultures at a
  practical level. Normans in Viking ships also
  provide an example of the shared history and
  ancestry of all the groups involved.
• The use of Viking ships also suggests shared
  tactics and understanding of Viking shipbuilding,
  since one cannot sail or build such a vessel
  without some knowledge. And one cannot succeed in
  battle against a foe without knowing the flaws or
  strengths of ones vessel.
• The Vikings enjoyed incursions and invasions into
  Britain. That left an indelible mark on the
  English language and customs, and thus influences
  the Bayeux Tapestry.

7
Vikings and England

• More important things to know about Vikings in
  this period
• According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, compiled
  about 891, the first Viking raids against Engand
  occured in the year 787. The most infamous of
  these early raids was the Danish attack at
  Lindesfarne in 793. This momentous event, we read
  in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, was presaged by
  terrible omens, including flashes of lightning
  and fiery dragons seen flying through the air.
  (http//www.pitt.edu/dash/ships.html)
• Towns ending with by have Viking origins.
• Vikings also were the settlers of York.
• The English had to pay danegeld in order to
  keep the Vikings from pushing further into
  English lands. The Dane Law helped to end the
  constant bloodshed between the two factions.

8
Viking Ship Battles

• While there was no sea-battle in the B.T., it is
  important to note how sea-battles were handled,
  since were discussing Viking ships and influence
  at the time.
• A Viking sea battle would consist of each
  opposing flotilla tying their boats side on and
  sailing towards one another head on. When the
  boats collided, they would fight until one side
  was victorious or they were totally exhausted or
  they could not pass over the dead bodies in front
  of them. (http//www.battle1066.com/vikings.shtml
  )

9
More on Viking Tactics

• Amphibious Landing At Pevensey

10
The Shield-Wall

• Utilizing spears and
• shields in unison. Very
• effective at handling
• cavalry. Like riding into
• a porcupine.

11
Vikings and 1066

• For all intensive purposes the end of the Viking
  age coincided with 1066. King Haralds invasion
  signals the end to Viking power. It is rather
  interesting that the Battle of Stamford Bridge
  does not appear in the tapestry, even though the
  Normans are busy building Viking vessels for
  their invasion, and arguably, the invasion
  succeeded thanks to the events at Stamford
  Bridge. Weakened English forces, after so long of
  a forced march, were logically at a military
  disadvantage.

12
Some Ideological Issues

• First and foremost of Viking values was that of
  the ring-giver. The relationship between thane
  and ring-giver was practically divine betrayal
  was most certainly a taboo in Viking culture.
  Harold swears his service to William on relics.
  The tapestry stresses this point. Harolds
  betrayal spits in the face of these values. The
  Vikings probably didnt influence the Tapestrys
  stress on this point, but contextualizing these
  values relating to the tapestry provides some
  understanding as to why breaking an oath is such
  a serious offense. The values of the Vikings are
  certainly echoed in the history of 1066, as well
  as in the tapestry.

13
Works Cited

• http//www.battle1066.com/vikings.shtml
• http//www.pitt.edu/dash/ships.html