Stitching Idyllic

Stitching by Ann Bernard

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Spring Flowers
  • Summer Flowers
  • About Ann

February 4, 2018 by Ann Bernard

The Battle of Stamford Bridge

Having won the Battle of Fulford Gate, the Vikings took 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 the eastern sides of the River Derwent.

In this portion of one of fifteen panels, the Viking army is relaxing.

They are fishing, talking and sleeping.  King Hadrada gave them permission to leave off their chain mail protection because of the heat.

Meanwhile, in southern England Earl Harold Godwinson (King Harold) had his army trained and ready to meet the expected invasion from Normandy. In Normandy, Duke William had his invasion army ready but the wind and tides had been unfavourable all summer. They waited, as did King Harold and his army in England.

King Harold heard about the Viking invasion in Scarborough. The Vikings had a poor 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 215 miles (350 kms) which is about the distance between here, Guelph, and Ottawa. The roads were not as they are today. It is said that they did this march in four days but, this is so remarkable as to be unbelievable, that I can only think that they started out before the Battle of Fulford on September 20.  This is surmise on my part.

Their arrival at Stamford Bridge and their attack on September 25 was unexpected. In the first panel, their arrival is indicated by the dust storm you can see in the upper right section of the first picture.   The Vikings on the western (left, wrong end) of the narrow, wooden bridge were trapped.

The bridge (same bridge as above), 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 on the east side of the river in the manner that was traditional for the time. 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 later in the battle), 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, the photo below, taken in July 2017, shows visitors viewing the work-in-progress.

The lower photo also shows stitching in progress. Note the positions of the panel and the stitchers.  They are working upside down which is necessary on an embroidery of this width.

The tapestry is stitched on linen twill 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 are raising money for the cost of the fabric and threads by preparing and selling kits.

If you would like to stitch a small piece of the Stamford Bridge Battle for yourself or be a stitching volunteer go to publicity@stamfordbridgetapestry.org.uk

These final stacked pictures are of the longboats returning to Norway and of meal preparation. Out of the 300/240 longboats that landed, only 24 were needed to take the survivors home. Two generations of men were in that invasion army.  While researching I read that the Viking women fought alongside the men so their loss was enormous too.  One of their leaders was allowed to return home with the survivors.  This was a young boy who was possibly the grandson (supposition on my part) of King Hadrada.  The Vikings promised to never, ever invade England again.

The days of Viking supremacy were over. They stayed home, recovered, and became Norwegians.

The latest news is that a book will be written about the design and stitching of this tapestry –

Enjoy a post from the past

  • Through the Eye of the Needle
    The Art of Esther Nisenthal Krinitz Embroideries that Record History Esther used her needle and thread to record her vivid …

Tapestry Project Brought to Book (search this phrase for more information). Published by Laura Mary on Facebook.

Battle of Stamford Bridge Tapestry Project 1066 – 2016 Interesting videos.

Hippytstitch: Battle of Stamford Bridge Tapestry for more pictures and information.

Apologies for the long spaces –  am still trying to figure out how to do this.

Tomorrow: The Bayeux story continues.

ShareTweetGoogle +PinterestPocketMail

February 3, 2018 by Ann Bernard

September 20, 1066 The Battle of Fulford Gate

The Fulford Gate Tapestry

King Hadrada (Harald) 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, (King) 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 varies depending on the source. The Saxon army was about half the size.

The weather that summer was hot and dry and lasted through September and into October.   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. There was a marsh on one side of the battle field and a river with an embankment on the other. A lot of men were lost in the marsh. King Hadrada is the lone figure on the right side (below) with his sword above his head. Their prize was the City of York which the Vikings agreed not to pillage or burn. The local 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, is shown entering the city of York.  Note the shape of Tostig’s head and his features.  He is obviously the brother of King Harold.

The names of the protagonists is confusing.  King Harald was the Viking leader whereas King Harold was the Saxon leader.

The embroidery, like the Bayeux Tapestry, is a continuous strip of linen fabric about 18 feet long. The upper and lower friezes contain scenes from everyday life and battle casualties. It was designed by Charles Jones. Embroiderers from the area of Fulford Gates and York dyed their wool threads using traditional methods. The continuous strip is divided into six sections for photography of which three are included here.

Enjoy a post from the past

  • The Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, Australia
    Lucky Sidney and Australia.  Though they deserve some ‘luck’ after living through the recent months of bush fires.  They have …

The Fulford Tapestry was completed about seven years ago but I do not know where it is stored or is on display. 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.

The final photo is of the ladies who stitched on the Fulford Gate Tapestry. This is the first of the contemporary embroideries that add to our understanding of the eventful year of 1066 and fleshes out the story told in the Bayeux Tapestry.

Congratulations ladies.  It is a job well done.  I would love to meet you  but age and an ocean are in the way.

For more information on the battle and the tapestry, connect with these links.

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

http://www.fulfordtapestry.info

Hippystitch: The Fulford Tapestry

The creation of the Fulford Tapestry – Images

ShareTweetGoogle +PinterestPocketMail

February 2, 2018 by Ann Bernard

1066. During the Spring and Summer Duke William of Normandy prepares his Armada.

1066. During the Spring and Summer Duke William of Normandy prepares his Armada.

Duke William of Normandy has been betrayed by Harold and considers himself to be the rightful King of England. He prepares an armada of ships to carry the men, horses and the armaments he will need to defeat King Harold.

Trees were felled and boats built.

Armour and spears were made. Provisions were collected and loaded on to the boats.

Horses were acquired and loaded onto boats.

The wind and tides were against the armada sailing for England. William and his army waited in France while Harold and his army waited for them in southern England. The English army became bored and restless and some went home for the harvest. The wind and tides, however, had been helpful to the Vikings who attacked in north east England leading to the battles of Fulford Gate and Stamford Bridge.

The tapestry is really an embroidery. It is stitched on linen fabric using seven dominantly coloured wool threads. The stitches used are stem stitch, Bayeux stitch, (which is a form of laid work), and satin stitch. Notice the style of the design. The artist was gifted at showing detail and realism and in connecting the various scenes into a continuous flow. There is also a lot of energy and action in each scene which does not get lost during the process of stitching.

Enjoy a post from the past

  • The Lisbon Treaty as printed here, recanted.
    Apologies my friends.  I gather that the interpretation of the Lisbon Treaty I circulated is a scam.  False and unnecessary information. The …

It is 230 (or 270) feet long and 20 inches wide,  The borders, top and bottom, are each 3 inches wide.  They show birds, animals and incidents from Aesop’s fables.  In the battle scenes, they show archers in action, fallen soldiers and horses. There are 8 lengths of fabric stitched together to achieve the total length of 230/270 feet. There are 50/74 different scenes depicted.  You will observe that the information is variable according to source. It is all of interest to historians who see it as a revealing glimpse of life in the era before the Middle Ages.

Yes, it is all very interesting but you have to know what you are looking at to appreciate the details.

Kits are available from various resources if you would like to create a replica of a section of the Bayeux Tapestry.

Tomorrow: September 20, 1066. The Battle of Fulford Gate.

ShareTweetGoogle +PinterestPocketMail

February 1, 2018 by Ann Bernard

Embroideries that Record History

Embroideries that Record History

Interest and research has resulted in this series of blogs that features the Bayeux Tapestry and other embroideries that record the events of 1066 up until the Magna Carta. All have shaped the development of the western world and democracy. By influencing the western world, these events have affected the development of the whole world. The Overlord Embroidery, which records the D Day landings in 1944 is not included in this series but is featured in an earlier blog on this site. All these embroideries are unique. Only the Bayeux Tapestry is old whereas the others are contemporary. Here is your chance to be an armchair traveler and visit them all and to read the story that they portray.

Commemorative Tapestries/large Embroideries

1066 was a difficult year for Saxon England. King Edward the Confessor died in January without a direct heir creating opportunities for contestants to the crown. Earl Harold Godwinson (of Saxon aristocracy) promptly had himself crowned king which started a cascade of events. In mid-September, King Hadrada of Norway and a huge army of Vikings invaded northeast England resulting in the Battle of Fulford Gate which they won. The next and more decisive battle a few days later was the Battle of Stamford Bridge which was won by the Saxon army. Previous blogs have focused on these two battles. They have been edited and placed in context in this series.

The Prequel to the Battle of Hastings

Along with 1944, 1066 was a year that changed the destiny of the western world. We all know the outcome of the Battle of Hastings. The first half of the Bayeux Tapestry tells us what was happening before the battle. It must have been important to have been recorded in such detail.

In the later years of his reign, King Edward the Confessor sent Earl Harold Godwinson on a visit to France probably to discuss the succession to the English throne with Duke William of Normandy.

Harold went to his country residence first and had a feast. From there he boarded the ship that would take him to France. Notice that he had to wade to get on board. He took his hawk and a hound with him as it was intended to be a friendly visit.

He was shipwrecked on the shores of northeast France and captured by Count Guy of Ponthieu.

Duke William hears about this and pays a ransom to have Harold released. Both Guy and Harold travel to William’s castle in Rouen (northwestern France) where they are received formally. After various travels and adventures around northern France and Normandy they all arrive in Bayeaux. Harold was very strong and at a beach, he pulled someone out of quicksand.(Nasty, dangerous stuff is quicksand).  This is one of the adventures recounted.

Duke William insists that Harold become his vassal. Harold swears his allegiance on the Holy Relics.

The two chests of relics are openly displayed and all appears to be peaceful.

Harold then returns to England where King Edward the Confessor is sick. He dies on January 6, 1066 and is buried in the newly built Westminster Abbey. This portion of the tapestry shows him being carried to Westminster Abbey which was consecrated a week before he died.

Note the ‘Hand of God’ coming down form heaven to consecrate the Abbey.

This is the tomb and shrine of Saint Edward the Confessor, the only king in English history to become a Saint.

Harold is crowned King of England.

About Eastertime of that year, Halley’s comet appears, terrifies the western world and is seen as an omen. Did you see Haley’s comet in 1995 or 96?

Enjoy a post from the past

  • The conversation has led back to the Bayeux Tapestry! Now why does that keep happening?!
    The conversation regarding washing fabrics, marking the design on fabrics both now and historically has led to some ‘THINKING”.  Thinking is …

Duke William of Normandy was a more rightful contender to the throne of a prosperous and agricultural Saxon England. He was not amused that Harold had had himself crowned King at the first opportunity. Duke William spent all summer making extensive preparations for an invasion army of men, horses, ships, weapons and armour. The wind and tides were against him sailing. These same weather conditions favoured the Viking invasion on the north east coat of England.

All these pictures (except for the Shrine of Edward the Confessor), are taken from the Bayeux Tapestry.

Tomorrow: Duke William prepares his invasion fleet.

Please feel free to share this with friends and others who would be interested.

ShareTweetGoogle +PinterestPocketMail
  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17

Search the web site

stay up to date. Subscribe to our newsletter!

Name

Email


Connect with us socially

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

Hand Stitch Recognizable Spring Flowers Ebook

Stitching Spring Flowers

Hand Stitch Recognizable Summer Flowers

Stitching Summer Flowers

Recent Posts

  • How to stitch Snowdrops. Quick and Easy!
  • Inspirations, All Stitched Up! from Australia
  • Newsletter Märchenhaftes Sticken – Jessica Grimm
  • Cotton Quartet 1: Preliminaries & First Stitches
  • Hand and Lock. London Craft Week. May 9 -15 2022

Recent Comments

  • Rosemary Norman on How to stitch Snowdrops. Quick and Easy!
  • Ann Bernard on September 20, 1066 The Battle of Fulford Gate
  • Mrs M Moverley on September 20, 1066 The Battle of Fulford Gate
  • Kathleen (Kate) Simeri on Stitches Sampler from The Royal School of Needlework
  • Ann Bernard on The Changi Quilts

Archives

  • February 2023
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • November 2015
  • June 2015
  • March 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • November 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012

Categories

  • Royal School Of Needlework
  • Stitching Colleagues
  • Stitching Equipment
  • Stitching History
  • Stitching Materials
  • Stitching Techniques
  • Stitching Tutorials
  • Uncategorized

Tag Cloud

Acid Damage And Mounting Canada 150 Chain Stitch Coral Stitch Couched Thread Crewel Designs Cross Stitch East India Company embroidery Jacobean Period Stitching Mary Corbet Masonite Medici Wool Queen Mary RSN Student Shading In Stitching Stem Stitch stitching Water Damage Stitching Worsted Wool Thread

Pretty Chic Theme By: Pretty Darn Cute Design