carving of William and Harold in Bayeux Cathedral
Bayeux Cathedral - Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux - was consecrated in 1077 in the presence of William the Conqueror. It is said that William made the Saxon prince Harold Godwinson swear allegiance to him in this very cathedral: this is what is depicted in the relief carving seen here, which is between two arches of the nave.
The upper panel shows Duke William (seated), while Harold is shown making his oath on holy relics in the lower panel. It was Harold's subsequent treachery in claiming the English throne which precipitated the Norman invasion of England in 1066. The images directly match one of the scenes in the Bayeux Tapestry, which was originally kept in the cathedral and put on display once a year.
The cathedral was built in the Norman Romanesque style, with considerable decorative stonework such as the carved corbel seen here. Later alterations and additions are mostly in the Gothic style.
carving of William and Harold in Bayeux Cathedral
Bayeux Cathedral - Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux - was consecrated in 1077 in the presence of William the Conqueror. It is said that William made the Saxon prince Harold Godwinson swear allegiance to him in this very cathedral: this is what is depicted in the relief carving seen here, which is between two arches of the nave.
The upper panel shows Duke William (seated), while Harold is shown making his oath on holy relics in the lower panel. It was Harold's subsequent treachery in claiming the English throne which precipitated the Norman invasion of England in 1066. The images directly match one of the scenes in the Bayeux Tapestry, which was originally kept in the cathedral and put on display once a year.
The cathedral was built in the Norman Romanesque style, with considerable decorative stonework such as the carved corbel seen here. Later alterations and additions are mostly in the Gothic style.