December 5, 2017 by Ann Bernard

The Battle of Stamford Bridge, the second battle of 1066

Stamford Bridge

Having won the Battle of Fulford, the Vikings took some time off. They did not burn the City of York as they had Scarborough but, as victors, they collected tribute in the form of goods and hostages. For late September, the weather was unseasonably hot. The Vikings made camp on the western and eastern sides of the River Derwent. In this portion of one of fifteen panels, the Viking army is relaxing. The leaders, King Hadrada and Earl Tostig, gave the men permission to leave off their mail shirts which they returned to their ships. The dust storm created by the arrival of the Saxon army is indicated on the upper right.

Meanwhile, in the south of England, Earl Harold Godwinson (King Harold) had his army trained and ready to meet the expected invasion from Normandy. In Normandy, Duke William had spent all summer building boats, making armour, collecting horses and training men for his invasion army but the wind and tides had been unfavourable all summer for such an undertaking. They waited, as did King Harold and his army in England.

King Harold heard about the Viking invasion in Scarborough. The Vikings had a bad reputation which made them unacceptable immigrants. King Harold gathered some/all of his army and marched them north to York. The distance between London and York is 216 miles (347 kms) and the roads were not as they are today. It is said that they did this march in four days but, this is so remarkable that I can only think that they started out before the Battle of Fulford on September 20.

Their arrival at Stamford Bridge and their attack on September 25 was unexpected. The Vikings on the western (wrong end) of the narrow, wooden bridge were trapped. The bridge was a bottle neck being defended by one elite viking warrior known as a berserker. A berserker wore a bear fur collar (baer sarkr, or bear shirt). They were fed psychedelic mushrooms before a battle, and killed anyone in front of them until they were killed, or ran out of enemies – hence our modern word berserk! (Thank you, Heather Cawte for this information). The beserker was finally felled by a saxon who floated down the river and speared him from below. These figures are not yet completely stitched.

After that, the armies formed up in the manner that was traditional for the time and a bloody battle was fought with huge losses on both sides. Both King Hadrada and Earl Tostig died. The section of the army left guarding the boats led by King Hadrada’s son-in-law (who was also killed) arrived in haste but the victory went to the Saxon army.

I was unable to locate a stitching that I was sure was of the battle. Instead, this photo, taken in July 2017, shows visitors viewing the work-in-progress. The tapestry is stitched on linen fabric, a cotton backing and uses Appletons wool threads. The design is placed on the cotton backing, marked through the front linen with running stitch. It is then outlined with stem stitching and filled with Bayeux stitch. Chris Rock designed the tapestry, the volunteer stitchers are under the leadership of Shirley Smith. They have some kits available if you would like to stitch a small piece for yourself or to contact them, go to [email protected]

The final picture is of the longboats returning to Norway. Out of the 300 boats that landed, only 24 were needed to take the survivors home. Two generations of men were in that invasion army. We have also experienced this huge loss of men in more recent times. The Vikings promised to never, ever invade England again. The days of Viking supremacy were over. They stayed home, recovered, and became Norwegians.

The information here may or may not be correct. Brevity is not always the best sieve for historical information. The videos below are recent and were filmed on location and will be more accurate.

Battle of Stamford Bridge Tapestry Project 1066 – 2016

Baz Battles. Historical informational video

BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE TAPESTRY PROJECT 1066-2016

Although Stamford Bridge was a great triumph for King Harold and the Saxons, their strength was sadly depleted by the fight. And now they faced an even greater foe as news arrived that Duke William of Normandy had landed in Sussex on September 28. The weary Saxons turned south once more and marched back as quickly as they had come.

Read the third and final episode to hear what really happened at the Battle of Hastings.

November 18, 2017 by Ann Bernard

1066 and all ???? Prequel Battles to the Battle of Hastings

The Fulford Tapestry

There are two years in history that changed the destiny of the western world. One is 1944, when the the Allied Forces crossed the Channel to the coasts of Normandy and the other is 1066 when the Saxon armies fought the invasion by the Duke of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings. There were two other battles in England prior to this and both are commemorated with large embroideries But first, here is a brief account of why 1066 was such a pivotal year.

The Bayeux Tapestry, Scene 1: King Edward the Confessor and Earl Harold Godwinson

In January 1066, King Edward the Confessor died without a direct heir but leaving three contenders to the throne of Saxon England. The first was Earl Harold Godwinson, Edward’s brother in law, a competent statesman and army general who had been running the country for Edward for years. The second was King Hadradra of Norway. The third was Duke William of Normandy. As England was a prosperous farming country at the time, it was a desirable acquisition.

King Hadrada was a Viking and a fierce and experienced warrior. The Vikings had a long history of marauding, pillaging and plundering. In 1066 they were well equipped with about 7000 men and 300 longships. In mid September, they landed on the eastern shores of England near Scarborough, which they burned, and then moved on to the city of York. Earl Tostig, Harold Godwinson’s estranged brother, joined the Viking forces bringing more men. Tostig hoped to claim Northumbria as his own domain. Their combined forces were around 10,000 fighting men though the number varties depending on the source. The English army was about half the size.

What ensued on September 20 was the first battle of 1066, the Battle of Fulford Gate, which was won by the Vikings. It was a fierce encounter with heavy losses on both sides. Hadrada is the lone figure on the right hand side with his sword above his head. Their prize was the City of York which the Vikings agreed not to pillage or burn. The Saxons also agreed to join the Vikings on their trek south to London where King Hadrada planned to claim the throne of England.

In the panel below, King Hadrada, with blond hair and beard, followed by Tostig as shown entering the city of York.

The embroidery, like the Bayeaux Tapestry, is a continuous strip of fabric about 18 feet long. The upper and lower friezes contain scenes from everyday life. It was designed by Charles Jones and stitched by local embroiderers who dyed their wool threads using tradional methods. The continuous strip is divided into six sections for photography of which three are included here,

The Fulford Tapestry was completed about seven years ago. I have read as much as I can find about the Battle of Fulford Gate and have condensed it to a few sentences which may, or may not, give you an accurate picture. I apologize for errors. You can read more about this important day on the sites listed.

The final photo is of the ladies who stitched on the Fulford Tapestry.

http://www.britainexpress.com/History/battles/Fulford.htm

http://www.fulfordtapestry.info

The creation of the Fulford Tapestry – Images

November 11, 2017 by Ann Bernard

Remembrance Day: Lest We Forget

Today is Remembrance Day when we thank the millions of men and women who served in all the forces. We thank those who gave their lives so that our civilization would continue in the free world. We give thanks as countries and communities; we also remember and give thanks as individuals.

The Overlord Embroidery

It was commemorated 40 years later in Portsmouth when Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, opened the D-Day Museum. This building houses the Overlord Embroidery. Commisioned by Lord Dulverton, it was designed by Sandra Lawrence and stitched at the Royal School of Needlework. It consists of 34 panels each 8 feet wide by 3 feet high. The total length, 272 feet, is longer than the Bayeaux Tapestry by 41 feet. Here are a few of the panels of the Overlord Embroidery.

The Supreme Commander, General Eisenhower, discusses the Operation Overlord plan with seniorAllied commanders.

A vast armada of ships, planes and men crossed the English Channel to storm Fortress Europe. They were expected and encountered heavy resistance. Supplies had to be transported and the Mulberry Harbour was towed across the channel in sections and assembled on the French coast. There were multiple examples of ingenuity and selfless courage.

There were only a few days in each month with the right conditions of tide and moon for the invasion. Here troops of the British 3rd Division and the 27th Armoured Brigade await orders to sail.

The fleet moves slowly south towards the Normandy coast; some smaller craft sink in the rough water and others have to turn back. The armada includes some 4,200 landing ships and landing craft. R.A.F. Lancasters, which bombed the German coastal batteries, fly above the ships.

The embroidery technique used is a traditional method of applique which allows for detail, and the embroidery is intensely detailed. While a student at the Royal School of Needlework we were required to learn how to do this and I will tell you that it is both exacting and tedious. Whenever available the fabrics used were those used for the uniforms in the war. Notice the detail and expression in the faces. Sandra Lawrence used photos from the war and consulted with the original Chiefs of Staff on details for authenticity. As the panels were stitched in the ’70s, it was already more than 20 years since the end of the war.

An allied deception plan persuades the Germans that the invasion will be made at Pas de Calais. As the main fleet approaches Normandy the radar screens show the fake convoys proceeding up-Channel. Unsuspecting German troops man a bunker while a midget submarine surfaces to mark one of the invasion beaches by showing a green light to seaward.

King George V1 visits the invasion beaches with Winston Churchill, Field Marshal Brooke. Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery. They did not all visit on the same day as shown here. The Mulberry harbour is visible in the background.

The troops are moving out of Normandy on their way east. There remain eight months of bitter fighting before the conclusion of the war. A Frenchman, suspected of being a resistance fighter has been shot by the retreating Germans.

Currently the D-Day Museum in Portsmouth is being renovated, extended and a climate control system is being installed. The Overlord Embroidery will be available for viewing in mid 2018. At the moment, there is not a lot of information regarding the embroidery on line but this will change as the pieces are rehung in the new gallery. A new video is also being made of the embroidery which will include interviews with some of the stitchers. Our Guild has a copy of the original video. When I showed it last week in the residence where I live, there was a lot of interest. There are many veterans amongst us but I am not one of them. One lady, who was 18 years old when the war started and worked on Enigma, is trying to teach me how to salute correctly which is creating laughter all around.

The painted, full size plan designed by Sandra Lawrence is in the Pentagon hanging in the Ministry of Defence.

This video will give you more information on the creation of the Overlord Embroidery. You will likely locate others that I have not discovered.

Women in the D-Day Museum: The Overlord Embroidery – YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R7TEUt6YXc

www.sandralawrence.co.uk/Overlord Embroideries.htm

The Norman Invasion under William the Conqueror in 1066 has been the only other successful cross Channel invasion. There is more to this story than I ever learned in school or has been generally known until recent years. I will be writing about this in following blogs.

All have been commemorated with embroideries.

July 6, 2017 by Ann Bernard

From west to east – from north to south – it is all, ‘Our Canada’!

The seventh in the series from The Canadian Embroiderer’s Guild of Guelph for Canada’s 150th birthday and today is from west to east – from north to south – it is all, ‘Our Canada’!

My Canada

I am proud to say that I have traveled all across Canada – all 10 provinces and 2 territories. Nunavut is the only place I have missed which is why it is white. The silver french knots represent cities I have lived in from Vancouver to Kingston. Raw edge Applique in red and white.

The Province of Ontario

Ontario borders the northern shores of Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron (eastern) and Superior. Our provincial flower is the Trillium which grows wild in the woods and blooms during May.

The Red Barn

My Grandpa had a farm with a large red barn and my Grandma had a beautiful flower garden in LaSalle, Quebec by the St Lawrence River. This is dedicated to all Canadian farmers that have kept us nourished over the years.

The Bluenose

Fifty nine years ago I arrived in Canada and six years later I chose to become a Canadian Citizen. Canada is home for me. I am proud to celebrate 150th anniversary of this beautiful, rich and diverse country. Each time I go shopping, the dime with the “Bluenose” on it in my wallet reminds me how fortunate I am to live in Canada.

Arctic Spring

Northern Canada is vast and almost barren. Inuit have built Inukshuks from unworked stone for centuries. These markers were used for communication and survival. One of their traditional meanings is “You are on the right path”. I believe that Canada is on the right path.

My Canada

“West Montrose Covered Bridge”. Living in the Guelph / Fergus / Elora area provides not only wonderful scenery, but also, wonderful examples of our history. These are living reminders of what it took to create communities out of a wilderness.

Canada’s Guardians

I was raised along the St Lawrence River. To me, Canada is beautiful rivers, lakes and mountains. I also love lighthouses which are mysterious. It makes one wonder what these lighthouses have witnessed. My piece is based on the lakes, rivers so prevalent in Canada.

First Nations

We should all take time to remember that the Europeans were not the first people to call Canada home. Many people called this land home for thousands of years before the first Europeans landed on our shores.

THE END

Thank you for viewing this project from the Canadian Embroiderer’s Guild of Guelph for Canada’s 150th birthday and sharing the collaboration. There will be one last posting in this series tomorrow.

July 6, 2017 by Ann Bernard

Our views of Canada

The sixth in the series from The Canadian Embroiderer’s Guild of Guelph for Canada’s 150th birthday and today is about our views of Canada.

My Canada

As Canadians we don’t make a fuss about being Canadian. We tend to be rather reserved. I hope that these samples of our needlework will shout out that we are proud to be Canadian more loudly than our spoken words.

Tom Thomson – artist

Born 1877 Died July 8, 1917 on Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park. His most famous works are – West Wind, Jack Pine, The Birches, The Drive.

Canadian Family

Canada is a mosaic of people and my family is no exception. We are blessed to have a diversity of background and we all learn from each other.

The Cloth of our Canada

“If it wisna’ fir the weavers, what would ye do?”

Folk respected for their skills, their creativity, their resourcefulness, brought with them the tools and materials of their trade. Manufacturing, visual arts, and social justice. And their strong sense of equality.

They wove the cloth of our Canada.

The Red Canoe

Eric and Liz were married at our family cottage in 2014. Eric restored the canoe and made their paddles. Nothing says Canada more than a red canoe on a beautiful Muskoka lake.

“What Canada means to me”

friendship from coast to coast
a cup of coffee…
that starts a conveersation,
heals a friendship
begins the day, warm, comforting, ubiquitous, a smile, your home, our home.

MY CANADA IS INVITING TO ALL

Bonjour

My Canada

“We had to walk over a mile to school”…. “Sure, sure, uphill both ways”. Scots settlers made sure there was a school for every child…and universities, and libraries, and stories and songs. Step by step, those cold, weary walks built our Canada.

My Canadian Ribbons

My ribbons are a result of great exposure to many options in this country. My parents came to Bath, Ontario in 1953. With my two brothers we lived in a house built in 1784 for soldiers. I did 4H and Church groups learning. We had a terrific education,

The dates are significant in my life and the ribbons are some of my personal accolades.

July 4, 2017 by Ann Bernard

The Connections and Threads that keep us together.

The fifth in the series from The Canadian Embroiderer’s Guild of Guelph for Canada’s 150th birthday and today is about the connections and threads that keep us together.

To all our American friends, I wish you a happy and safe American Independence Day tomorrow.

Threads Of Our Country

Every Canadian citizen is a thread in the fabric that we call Canada. Our strength comes from weaving all those individuals into a sturdy, durable fabric.

Stitcher’s Mosaic

I wanted to put together some of the many types of stitching that come together in Canada – especially at the Embroidery Guild. Shown are Norwegian Hardanger, Brazilian Embroidery, Porcupine Quillwork with beads, Stumpwork, Machine Stitching. Jugoslavian border (Bosnian woman’s cap) and English smocking. I estimate that this piece took 60 + hours to complete.

Emigration and Immigration

I arrived in Canada in late October 1969 from Scotland. I did not plan to stay long in Canada but only to use it as a jumping off spot for my “round the world trip” to New Zealand and then return to Scotland. My girl friend, who was to accompany me, backed out for personal reasons and since I had given up my job and social organizations, I decided to come on my own!

On my arrival at Toronto airport I was greeted by several inches of snow and a howling wind and I was wearing my skinny wool coat. But I did not experience real cold until I moved to London a few weeks later. It was so cold and the wind chill so biting, I thought that Canada was the most God forsaken country in the world! I was so homesick and I thought that I was never going to be warm again.

However, I found a Canadian coat called LaParka by Linda Lundstrom and it was bright red! The colour cheered me up and kept me warm for many winters, since by that time I had met a fella.

The rest is history.

My Canada

We arrived in Canada as immigrants from England in November 1986.

Looking out of the window of my new home in Ottawa, all I could see was white and grey. The roads were white with salt and frost, the grass was blanketed in snow as were the roofs of all the buildings which were all shades of white, cream and beige. Even the evergreen trees were tightly bundled in burlap. There was no one to be seen in the street. I thought I had landed on the moon and I was very homesick.

It took a long time for me to see the beauty in the winter, the silver glints amongst the grey, and admire the cold, crisp sunny days.

Embroidery, Stitching and Fabric

As a child, my mother showed me how to embroider and cross stitch on cloth. As an adult, I learned to make large bed quilts, art quilts and art bras full of free motion quilting as well as embroidery and beading. As a child of immigrants (from Poland), I am grateful for my life, my family and all my creative adventures in Canada.

Underground Railroad

According to popular history, escaping slaves were guided on their way by quilts displayed on clotheslines or porch railings. Log cabins meant a safe house.

The Flying Geese pattern meant: “Follow the migrating geese northward to find sanctuary in Canada”.

Canada’s Fall Colours

The riot of colours of maple leaves each Fall evokes fond memories of my first Fall in Canada, thirty years ago in Montreal. I never cease to be amazed at these delightful colours.

My Canada

My Canada is filled with caring people who support one another.

I’ve met the most incredibly giving people through my involvement with the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. I can’t think of a better volunteer job than to foster future dog guide puppies who grow up to be life changing partners for the client with whom they are paired. These wonderful Dog Guides provide disabled Canadians with greater security and independence to live their lives to the fullest.

The Battle of Stamford Bridge, the second battle of 1066

Stamford Bridge

Enjoy a post from the past

1066 and all ???? Prequel Battles to the Battle of Hastings

The Fulford Tapestry

Enjoy a post from the past

Remembrance Day: Lest We Forget

Enjoy a post from the past

From west to east – from north to south – it is all, ‘Our Canada’!

Enjoy a post from the past

Our views of Canada

Enjoy a post from the past

The Connections and Threads that keep us together.

Enjoy a post from the past