The Bayeux Tapestry

From the window of our apartment

we can see the spires of the Bayeux Cathedral.

It is so imposing it doesn't look like it could possibly be real!

We ventured inside this morning and this what we discovered

when we went down a set of stairs.

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We also visited LeTappisserie De Bayeux.

The Bayeux Tapestry is technically not a tapestry but an embroidery,

70 meters long and 50 centimetres high,

that was made in the 11th century.

It's an amazingly preserved cloth

that is almost a thousand years old,

 with vivid colours and characters

that bring to life the story of the Norman Conquest.

In the museum an audio guide explains the 58 scenes

that depict the Norman Conquest.

It culminates in the Battle of Hastings in 1066,

the scenes realistically include severed limbs

and other evidence of battle.

Along the Tapestry you see colourful ships

sailing across the sea and horses galloping

across the plains as William the Conqueror

leading his troops into battle against the English King Harold.

Halley's Comet, which was visible in 1066, even appears in the Tapestry. 
You can see it in the top right of the photo above.

It is assumed that the Tapestry was made by monks

in England sometime after the Battle of Hastings.

Photography is not allowed but if you'd like to know more

I found this clip that shows it quite well.

https://youtu.be/F8OPQ_28mdo
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On June 6^th, 1944 (D-Day)
the Allies landed on the coast of Normandy 

.

Military units reached the outskirts of Bayeux by nightfall

and on the following day the city became the first to be liberated.

Today we visited the Bayeux War Cemetery.

It's the largest Commonwealth Cemetery

of the Second World War in France.

It contains the graves of men

originally buried on the battlefields

and those who died in Bayeux military hospitals.

It is now the final resting place of more than

4,100 Commonwealth servicemen

of whom nearly 340 remain unidentified.

Also buried are some 500 servicemen of other nations

including more than 460 Germans.

Opposite the cemetery stands

the Bayeux War Memorial

which bears the names

of more than 1,800 men and women

of the Commonwealth land forces

who fell during operation Overlord

and have no known grave.

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We also visited the
Museum of the Battle of Normandy.

It provides a unique presentation of the events that took place

on Normandy's soil from D-Day until June 29, 1944.

The exhibits include photographs, film clips, weapons,

uniforms, dioramas and many other items.

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We had a wander around town on our way home,

it really is a charming small town.

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Here's another view of the Cathedral,

it's certainly a landmark around town.

Today we walked 8.75 k's