Bayeux_Tapestry_Experience

Bayeux Tapestry Experience Humanities 111 August 17, 2012 Historical Event The night before we left I will always remember. I sat behind my house looking up at the stars realizing what I had and what I would be fighting to protect. We may not win I told myself but, I would fight and die trying if I had to. This day will go down in history for all to know, who fought and for why we fought, we would not be fighting for money or fame, we would fight for what we believed. As a person we all have our own beliefs and why we fight for what we have or where it may take us makes us the people we are. I fight for what I believe in just like everyone next to me who is in the same position as I. There is no better way to come to an end than to fight for a freedom that not only belong to me, but to others as well. To stand up against our enemies and take a stand for what we believe in as a country, as people who stand united. We do not know what tomorrow may hold, but we do know what this moment holds in history is a battle from both sides that tells a story of two different beliefs to be fought for. Impression of the Event The air stood still as everyone prepared for a day of fighting on the battle field. You can smell the fear of each one of the soldiers as the sweat dripping from our foreheads preparing for something that you never have time to prepare for. The battle begins and as an army we fight as one, not against the one next to you but praying for their support. All you see is swords being flung, axes in mid air, metal against metal seem like an eternity took place before the end came. Man against man, boy against boy, in times like these it seems that it is every man or boy for himself. Thousands of men screaming in war cries and pain, horses running trying to get away from men who are fighting each other. Friend becomes enemy, enemy becomes friend, one's body armor does not differ from the other. Bodies lay upon bodies before long distinguishing between the dead, wounded friend or foe became next to impossible. In the end only the strong would survive. It is the one who has the bravest heart that will stand up and learn to fight and not die a coward among his men. Specific Elements of the Event The battle took place on the Sussex coast of England in 1066. The grass was deep green at the beginning of the battle the field surrounded by tall trees on either side creating a channel with the two ends blocked by the opposing sides. The Normans fought in an English manner. They had a mix of archers, infantry soldiers and mounted nights. The wealthy wore shining suits of chain mesh to protect their precious skin, while the poor were draped with cloth unworthy of the same protection yet fighting for one cause. The Fyrd fought in wedged shaped battalions. The battalions were lead by the nobles them being the best equipped soldiers. The men which stood behind them were armed with spears or whatever they could use as a weapon. Some men carried pitchforks designed for bailing hay yet today they would be used as a deathly device. Remembering the Battle The Bayeux Tapestry is remembered as part of history today. Both the Normans and the English felt justified in its creation and how they had fought for what they believed. However, going through the history books both sides only felt justified because they both said King Edward promised them the throne. I personally do not agree with the way the battle started because it was all over jealousy from William the Conqueror and Harold Godwinson, they believed each had a right to claim all rights of being King. Neither one wanted to give up rights, so back then it was easy just to declare war on the other and that is exactly what happened. In the end, the one that won the victory was the one who claimed the throne. I hope through the years that we learn jealousy gets us nowhere and we should not rule with condemned feelings for the other person. The battle should be remembered for fighting for what they believed in, but not over the jealousy that took over that belief. The battle should teach us how not to rule a nation and learn from the past of what not to do in time of need. Reference The Middle Ages: The Bayeux Tapestry http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/bayeux-tapestry.htm Britain Express, Ross, David: The Bayeux Tapestry http://www.britainexpress.com/History/bayeux-tapestry.htm Crack, Glen, United Kingdom, (1998) http://www.battle1066.com/claim.shtml