File:The Bayeux tapestry elucidated (1856) (14593551658).jpg

Identifier: cu31924030675452 (find matches)
Title: The Bayeux tapestry elucidated
Year: 1856 (1850s)
Authors: Bruce, J. Collingwood (John Collingwood), 1805-1892
Subjects: Bayeux tapestry
Publisher: London : J.R. Smith
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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EE—Here Duke William issues ordersfor the building of ships. Next we see the execution of the orders. Trees are being felled,and the planks prepared. Presently the ships have assumed theirproper shape, and then we see them being drawn down to theshore. This operation is effected by means of a rope passed througha pulley inserted in a post driven into the shore below thewater mark. The legend is hic teahunt naves ad maee—Herethey draw the vessels to the sea. Afterwards the stores andammunition are taken on board, and when aU is ready the horsesand troops embark. This may be a fitting place in which to introduce some observa-tions upon the ships and armour of the Normans. The vessels of this period were of small burden. This is provedby the fact that they were drawn down to the sea, after being built,in the manner shown in the Tapestry. The Domesday Booh estab-lishes the same thing. There we find it stated that Dover andSandwich (and probably the other Cinque Ports also) were sever-
Text Appearing After Image:
PEEPARATI0N8. 93 ally obliged to furnish tlie King with twenty ships for fifteendays, once every year, each vessel having a crew of twenty-onepersons. The gunwale of the vessels was low. In the TapestryfPlate X.J we see them landing the horses, by making themleap over the sides of the ships on to the shore. On the voyagethe gunwale was practically heightened by placing the shieldsof the soldiers along the sides of the vessel, one shield partly lyingover another. The prow and stern of the ships, which are the samein form, are a good deal elevated, and are usually decorated withthe head of a dragon, lion, bull, or some fanciful figure. We haveseveral descriptions of the ship in which-William sailed on hisever-memorable expedition. Wace says, The Duke placed alantern on the mast of his ship, that the other ships might see it,and hold their course after it. At the summit was a vane of brassgilt. On the head of the ship, in the front which mariners call theprow, there was a figure of a chi

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