1066 the Hidden History
Book Description
FOR MORE THAN NINE HUNDRED years the Bayeux Tapestry-one of the world s greatest historical docu-ments and artistic achievements-has preserved the story of one of history s greatest dramas:the Norman Conqueath of england culminating in the death of King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.Historians have held for centuries that the ajestic tapestry-almost300feet in length-trumpets the glory of William the Conqueror and the victoirisous Normans But is this true?In 1066 Andrew Bridgeford reveals very different story that rein terprets and recasts the most decisive year in English history.
Reading the tapestry as if it werea written text examining each scene with fresh eyes Bridegeford discovers a wealth of new information subversively and ingeniously encoded in the threads which appears to under mine the Norman point of view while presenting a secret tale undetected for centuries-an account of the final years of Anglo-Saxon england quite differenft from the Norman version of events In the midst of it all is a mysterious French nobleman-Count Eustace II of Boulogne descended from Charlemagne-whose own claim to the English throne rivaled Duke Williams.
While building his case Bridge ford brings to life the turbulent eleventh century in western Europe a world of ambitious warrior bishops courtdwarfs ruthless knights and power ful women 1066 offers readers a rare surpise-a book that reconsiders long-accepted masterpiesce and chain of events-and sheds new light on a pivotal chapter in English history.
Table Of Content
Map of Northern France and England
Genealogical chart:England
Genealogical Chart:Normandy
Genealogical Chart:Charlemagne/Boulogne/Jerusalem
Genealogical Chart:Ponthieu
1 In Searcb of the Bayeux Tapestry
2 A Tale of Consequence:the Impact of Conquest
3 Sources
4 Stitcbes in Time
5 The Strange Journey of Harold Godwinson
6 The Fox and the Crow
7 The Englisb Decision
8 Invasioon
9 The Battle of Hastings
10 Englisb Art and Embroidery
11 A Connection Witb Bisbop Odo of Bayeux
12 The Bayeux Tapestry and the Babylonian Conquest of the Jews
13 The Tanner s Grandsons
14 The Scion of Cbarlemagne
15 Count Eustace and the Deatb of King Harold
16 Eustace and the Attack on Dover
17 The Downfall of Bisbop Odo
18 Turold the Dwarf
19 The Scandal of AElfgyva
20 Wadard and Vital
21 Bayeux Catbedral and the Mystery of Survival
22 The Patronage of the Bayeux Tapestry
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements