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Riccall is noted for being the place where Harold Hardrada's force of invaders landed in 1066, just before the Battle of Stamford Bridge between an English army under King Harold Godwinson and an invading Norwegian force led by King Harald Hardrada and the English king's brother Tostig Godwinson. Although Harold Godwinson repelled the Norwegian invaders, his army was defeated by the Normans at Hastings less than three weeks later.

The oldest part of the church are the three western bays of the nave, which date from the mid- or late-12th century. The tower was built around the end of that century, then in the early 13th century, arcades were added, followed in the late 13th century by the chancel and north chapel. The chancel was repaired some time after 1472, when a south chapel was added. Between then and the English Reformation, the nave was heightened, a rood loft added, the aisles were widened, and a porch was built.

The church's most noted feature is the south doorway, built in the 1150s and reset twice, most recently in the 15th century.

A detail

Fighters, faces, a well-dressed cat, strange hairdos and a dog or donkey playing the harp...

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Riccall is noted for being the place where Harold Hardrada's force of invaders landed in 1066, just before the Battle of Stamford Bridge between an English army under King Harold Godwinson and an invading Norwegian force led by King Harald Hardrada and the English king's brother Tostig Godwinson. Although Harold Godwinson repelled the Norwegian invaders, his army was defeated by the Normans at Hastings less than three weeks later.

The oldest part of the church are the three western bays of the nave, which date from the mid- or late-12th century. The tower was built around the end of that century, then in the early 13th century, arcades were added, followed in the late 13th century by the chancel and north chapel. The chancel was repaired some time after 1472, when a south chapel was added. Between then and the English Reformation, the nave was heightened, a rood loft added, the aisles were widened, and a porch was built.

The church's most noted feature is the south doorway, built in the 1150s and reset twice, most recently in the 15th century.

Riccall is noted for being the place where Harold Hardrada's force of invaders landed in 1066, just before the Battle of Stamford Bridge between an English army under King Harold Godwinson and an invading Norwegian force led by King Harald Hardrada and the English king's brother Tostig Godwinson. Although Harold Godwinson repelled the Norwegian invaders, his army was defeated by the Normans at Hastings less than three weeks later.

The oldest part of the church are the three western bays of the nave, which date from the mid- or late-12th century. The tower was built around the end of that century, then in the early 13th century, arcades were added, followed in the late 13th century by the chancel and north chapel. The chancel was repaired some time after 1472, when a south chapel was added. Between then and the English Reformation, the nave was heightened, a rood loft added, the aisles were widened, and a porch was built.

One of Duke William the Bastards Norman swordsmen glaring down one of King Harold II (Godwinson) Saxon Huscarls moments before the two combatants clash in battle.

To the right is the site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066 when William of Normandy defeated the English, and Harold Godwinson, the Anglo-Saxon King was killed - supposedly by an arrow in his eye - HFF

King Harold II is buried in this Abbey after he died from his injuries after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Norman's became the dominate political force after that and even today if a person has a French sounding name, they are often more prosperous than us Anglo-Saxons. It's rather strange but when we visited Germany a few years back I felt as though I was home. I have never had that feeling before nor since on foreign holidays

Castle Pool, the only remains of the moat of the former Hereford Castle, in Hereford, Herefordshire.

During the 11th century, the county of Herefordshire was subject to attacks from Wales. Rather than repairing the town defences of Hereford, the county town, Ralph chose to build a castle within the settlement's defences. Ralph was made Earl of Hereford in about 1046; the date of the castle's foundation is uncertain, but it was present by 1052.

Harold Godwinson repaired the town's defences in 1056, but what happened to the castle is not mentioned. Shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066, William FitzOsbern was made Earl of Hereford. He may have rebuilt the castle as it was in use in 1067 when the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle noted that Eadric the Wild harassed its garrison. In 1071 William FitzOsbern died and his son Roger took over possession of the castle. He was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to depose King William and consequently forfeited the castle.

In April 1138, Geoffrey Talbot captured Hereford Castle from supporters of King Stephen. Later that year Stephen besieged the castle until it surrendered. In 1140 during the Anarchy Geoffrey Talbot and Miles of Gloucester captured the castle from the garrison supporting King Stephen.

Geoffrey Talbot and Miles of Gloucester set up siege engines so that the castle was attacked from two directions, and the garrison eventually surrendered. In 1154 Matilda's son Henry II granted the motte of Hereford to Roger of Gloucester but a rebellion followed, and Henry retook possession and for the rest of its history the castle remained royal..

During the Second Barons' War the castle came for a time the headquarters of the baronial party headed by Simon de Montfort in the 13th century.

During the Owain Glyndŵr rebellion from 1400 to 1411 King Henry IV based himself at Hereford castle preparing sorties and campaigns into Wales.

During the Civil War Herefordshire was very much a Royalist stronghold but the castle does not appear to have played a significant part. It was eventually sold to Sir Richard Harley and several of his friends, but it then went into decline. Most of what remained of the castle seems to have been destroyed in the 1650s and the stone used for other buildings within the city.

In 1746 the ruins were ordered to be dismantled and the site was transformed into what is today Castle Green, the moat being turned into Castle Pool lake.

In 1833 the Castle Green (which had been the bailey of the castle) was leased to the city council for a period of 200 years. The council is still responsible today for the maintenance and upkeep of the area in its present form of a recreation area.

Information Source:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Castle

Castle Pool, the only remains of the moat of the former Hereford Castle, in Hereford, Herefordshire.

During the 11th century, the county of Herefordshire was subject to attacks from Wales. Rather than repairing the town defences of Hereford, the county town, Ralph chose to build a castle within the settlement's defences. Ralph was made Earl of Hereford in about 1046; the date of the castle's foundation is uncertain, but it was present by 1052.

Harold Godwinson repaired the town's defences in 1056, but what happened to the castle is not mentioned. Shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066, William FitzOsbern was made Earl of Hereford. He may have rebuilt the castle as it was in use in 1067 when the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle noted that Eadric the Wild harassed its garrison. In 1071 William FitzOsbern died and his son Roger took over possession of the castle. He was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to depose King William and consequently forfeited the castle.

In April 1138, Geoffrey Talbot captured Hereford Castle from supporters of King Stephen. Later that year Stephen besieged the castle until it surrendered. In 1140 during the Anarchy Geoffrey Talbot and Miles of Gloucester captured the castle from the garrison supporting King Stephen.

Geoffrey Talbot and Miles of Gloucester set up siege engines so that the castle was attacked from two directions, and the garrison eventually surrendered. In 1154 Matilda's son Henry II granted the motte of Hereford to Roger of Gloucester but a rebellion followed, and Henry retook possession and for the rest of its history the castle remained royal..

During the Second Barons' War the castle came for a time the headquarters of the baronial party headed by Simon de Montfort in the 13th century.

During the Owain Glyndŵr rebellion from 1400 to 1411 King Henry IV based himself at Hereford castle preparing sorties and campaigns into Wales.

During the Civil War Herefordshire was very much a Royalist stronghold but the castle does not appear to have played a significant part. It was eventually sold to Sir Richard Harley and several of his friends, but it then went into decline. Most of what remained of the castle seems to have been destroyed in the 1650s and the stone used for other buildings within the city.

In 1746 the ruins were ordered to be dismantled and the site was transformed into what is today Castle Green, the moat being turned into Castle Pool lake.

In 1833 the Castle Green (which had been the bailey of the castle) was leased to the city council for a period of 200 years. The council is still responsible today for the maintenance and upkeep of the area in its present form of a recreation area.

Information Source:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Castle

Castle Pool, the only remains of the moat of the former Hereford Castle, in Hereford, Herefordshire.

During the 11th century, the county of Herefordshire was subject to attacks from Wales. Rather than repairing the town defences of Hereford, the county town, Ralph chose to build a castle within the settlement's defences. Ralph was made Earl of Hereford in about 1046; the date of the castle's foundation is uncertain, but it was present by 1052.

Harold Godwinson repaired the town's defences in 1056, but what happened to the castle is not mentioned. Shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066, William FitzOsbern was made Earl of Hereford. He may have rebuilt the castle as it was in use in 1067 when the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle noted that Eadric the Wild harassed its garrison. In 1071 William FitzOsbern died and his son Roger took over possession of the castle. He was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to depose King William and consequently forfeited the castle.

In April 1138, Geoffrey Talbot captured Hereford Castle from supporters of King Stephen. Later that year Stephen besieged the castle until it surrendered. In 1140 during the Anarchy Geoffrey Talbot and Miles of Gloucester captured the castle from the garrison supporting King Stephen.

Geoffrey Talbot and Miles of Gloucester set up siege engines so that the castle was attacked from two directions, and the garrison eventually surrendered. In 1154 Matilda's son Henry II granted the motte of Hereford to Roger of Gloucester but a rebellion followed, and Henry retook possession and for the rest of its history the castle remained royal..

During the Second Barons' War the castle came for a time the headquarters of the baronial party headed by Simon de Montfort in the 13th century.

During the Owain Glyndŵr rebellion from 1400 to 1411 King Henry IV based himself at Hereford castle preparing sorties and campaigns into Wales.

During the Civil War Herefordshire was very much a Royalist stronghold but the castle does not appear to have played a significant part. It was eventually sold to Sir Richard Harley and several of his friends, but it then went into decline. Most of what remained of the castle seems to have been destroyed in the 1650s and the stone used for other buildings within the city.

In 1746 the ruins were ordered to be dismantled and the site was transformed into what is today Castle Green, the moat being turned into Castle Pool lake.

In 1833 the Castle Green (which had been the bailey of the castle) was leased to the city council for a period of 200 years. The council is still responsible today for the maintenance and upkeep of the area in its present form of a recreation area.

Information Source:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Castle

Der Teppich von Bayeux, eigentlich ein langer Streifen bestickter Leinwand, entstand um 1070 - 80. Seine ursprüngliche Länge betrug wohl mehr als 70 Meter, von denen noch 68,38 Meter erhalten sind, die eine Höhe zwischen 45 und 53 cm haben. Der Wandbehang ist mit 58 farbigen Bildszenen fortlaufend bestickt, die die Eroberung Englands durch den Normannenherzog Wilhelm schildern. Der ursprünglich als Wilhelm der Bastard bezeichnete Normanne wurde König Wilhelm I. von England und ging als Wilhelm der Eroberer (William the Conqueror) in die Geschichte ein.

Der Teppich befindet sich im Centre Guillaume le Conquérant von Bayeux und, da er niemals ausgeliehen wird, wurden in der Ausstellung in Speyer lediglich gute Fotos gezeigt.

Castle Green Park, built on the location of the Bailey of the former Hereford Castle, in Hereford, Herefordshire.

During the 11th century, the county of Herefordshire was subject to attacks from Wales. Rather than repairing the town defences of Hereford, the county town, Ralph (son of the Count of Vexin) chose to build a castle within the settlement's defences. Ralph was made Earl of Hereford in about 1046; the date of the castle's foundation is uncertain, but it was present by 1052. This first castle is thought to have occupied the area of the later castle, in the east of the town. The areas to the north and west were densely occupied, and to the south was the River Wye. In 1055, the town and castle of Hereford were sacked by the Welsh. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle recorded the incident:

"And they gathered a great force with the Irishmen and the Welsh: and Earl Ralph collected a great army against them at the town of Hereford; where they met; but ere there was a spear thrown the English people fled, because they were on horses. The enemy then made a great slaughter ther – about four hundred or five hundred men; they on the other side none. They went then to the town, and burned it utterly; and the large minster also which the worthy Bishop Athelstan had caused to be built, that they plundered and bereft of relic and of reef, and of all things whatever; and the people they slew, and led some away."

Harold Godwinson repaired the town's defences in 1056, but what happened to the castle is not mentioned. Shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066, William FitzOsbern was made Earl of Hereford. He may have rebuilt the castle as it was in use in 1067 when the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle noted that Eadric the Wild harassed its garrison. In 1071 William FitzOsbern died and his son Roger took over possession of the castle. He was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to depose King William and consequently forfeited the castle.

In April 1138, Geoffrey Talbot captured Hereford Castle from supporters of King Stephen. Later that year Stephen besieged the castle until it surrendered. In 1140 during the Anarchy Geoffrey Talbot and Miles of Gloucester captured the castle from the garrison supporting King Stephen. During the siege the cemetery of the Church of St Guthlac was desecrated. The Gesta Stephani recorded the event:

"everywhere the townsmen were uttering cries of lamentation, either because the earth of their kinfolk's graveyard was being heaped up to form a rampart and they could see, a cruel sight, the bodies of parents and relations, some half-rotten, some quite lately buried, pitilessly dragged from the depths; or because at one time it was visible that catapults were being put up"

Geoffrey Talbot and Miles of Gloucester set up siege engines so that the castle was attacked from two directions, and the garrison eventually surrendered. In 1154 Matilda's son Henry II granted the motte of Hereford to Roger of Gloucester but a rebellion followed and Henry retook possession and for the rest of its history the castle remained royal. In 1216 John made Walter de Lacy sheriff of the county of Herefordshire and granted him the custody of the Royal castle at Hereford and the following year work was undertaken at to strengthen the castle against the Welsh attacks.

During the Second Barons' War the castle came for a time the headquarters of the baronial party headed by Simon de Montfort in the 13th century.

During the Owain Glyndŵr rebellion from 1400 to 1411 King Henry IV based himself at Hereford castle preparing sorties and campaigns into Wales.

During the Civil War Herefordshire was very much a Royalist stronghold but the castle does not appear to have played a significant part. It was eventually sold to Sir Richard Harley and several of his friends but it then went into decline. Most of what remained of the castle seems to have been destroyed in the 1650s and the stone used for other buildings within the city.

According to John Leland, the antiquary, the castle at Hereford was once "nearly as large as that of Windsor' and 'one of the fairest and strongest in all England".

In 1746 the ruins were ordered to be dismantled and the site was transformed into what is today Castle Green, the moat being turned into Castle Pool lake.

In 1833 the Castle Green (which had been the bailey of the castle) was leased to the city council for a period of 200 years. The council is still responsible today for the maintenance and upkeep of the area in its present form of a recreation area.

Castle Green Park, built on the location of the Bailey of the former Hereford Castle, in Hereford, Herefordshire.

During the 11th century, the county of Herefordshire was subject to attacks from Wales. Rather than repairing the town defences of Hereford, the county town, Ralph (son of the Count of Vexin) chose to build a castle within the settlement's defences. Ralph was made Earl of Hereford in about 1046; the date of the castle's foundation is uncertain, but it was present by 1052. This first castle is thought to have occupied the area of the later castle, in the east of the town. The areas to the north and west were densely occupied, and to the south was the River Wye. In 1055, the town and castle of Hereford were sacked by the Welsh. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle recorded the incident:

"And they gathered a great force with the Irishmen and the Welsh: and Earl Ralph collected a great army against them at the town of Hereford; where they met; but ere there was a spear thrown the English people fled, because they were on horses. The enemy then made a great slaughter ther – about four hundred or five hundred men; they on the other side none. They went then to the town, and burned it utterly; and the large minster also which the worthy Bishop Athelstan had caused to be built, that they plundered and bereft of relic and of reef, and of all things whatever; and the people they slew, and led some away."

Harold Godwinson repaired the town's defences in 1056, but what happened to the castle is not mentioned. Shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066, William FitzOsbern was made Earl of Hereford. He may have rebuilt the castle as it was in use in 1067 when the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle noted that Eadric the Wild harassed its garrison. In 1071 William FitzOsbern died and his son Roger took over possession of the castle. He was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to depose King William and consequently forfeited the castle.

In April 1138, Geoffrey Talbot captured Hereford Castle from supporters of King Stephen. Later that year Stephen besieged the castle until it surrendered. In 1140 during the Anarchy Geoffrey Talbot and Miles of Gloucester captured the castle from the garrison supporting King Stephen. During the siege the cemetery of the Church of St Guthlac was desecrated. The Gesta Stephani recorded the event:

"everywhere the townsmen were uttering cries of lamentation, either because the earth of their kinfolk's graveyard was being heaped up to form a rampart and they could see, a cruel sight, the bodies of parents and relations, some half-rotten, some quite lately buried, pitilessly dragged from the depths; or because at one time it was visible that catapults were being put up"

Geoffrey Talbot and Miles of Gloucester set up siege engines so that the castle was attacked from two directions, and the garrison eventually surrendered. In 1154 Matilda's son Henry II granted the motte of Hereford to Roger of Gloucester but a rebellion followed and Henry retook possession and for the rest of its history the castle remained royal. In 1216 John made Walter de Lacy sheriff of the county of Herefordshire and granted him the custody of the Royal castle at Hereford and the following year work was undertaken at to strengthen the castle against the Welsh attacks.

During the Second Barons' War the castle came for a time the headquarters of the baronial party headed by Simon de Montfort in the 13th century.

During the Owain Glyndŵr rebellion from 1400 to 1411 King Henry IV based himself at Hereford castle preparing sorties and campaigns into Wales.

During the Civil War Herefordshire was very much a Royalist stronghold but the castle does not appear to have played a significant part. It was eventually sold to Sir Richard Harley and several of his friends but it then went into decline. Most of what remained of the castle seems to have been destroyed in the 1650s and the stone used for other buildings within the city.

According to John Leland, the antiquary, the castle at Hereford was once "nearly as large as that of Windsor' and 'one of the fairest and strongest in all England".

In 1746 the ruins were ordered to be dismantled and the site was transformed into what is today Castle Green, the moat being turned into Castle Pool lake.

In 1833 the Castle Green (which had been the bailey of the castle) was leased to the city council for a period of 200 years. The council is still responsible today for the maintenance and upkeep of the area in its present form of a recreation area.

Mitred arch in the nave of Bayeux Cathedral with a bas-relief sculpture of Harold Godwinson taking the oath before William of Normandy, adapted from the Bayeux Tapestry and an event which took place in this cathedral.

The nave has two levels, a 12th-century Romanesque lower level and a 13th-century Gothic upper level.

"Bayeux Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux) is a Norman-Romanesque cathedral, located in the town of Bayeux. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bayeux. It was the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry and is a national monument of France.

"The site is an ancient one and was once occupied by Roman sanctuaries. The present cathedral was consecrated on 14 July 1077 in the presence of William, Duke of Normandy and King of England. It was here that William forced Harold Godwinson to take the oath, the breaking of which led to the Norman conquest of England."

Source: Wikipedia

Mitred arch in the nave of Bayeux Cathedral with a bas-relief sculpture of the Madonna and Child.

The nave has two levels, a 12th-century Romanesque lower level and a 13th-century Gothic upper level.

"Bayeux Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux) is a Norman-Romanesque cathedral, located in the town of Bayeux. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bayeux. It was the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry and is a national monument of France.

"The site is an ancient one and was once occupied by Roman sanctuaries. The present cathedral was consecrated on 14 July 1077 in the presence of William, Duke of Normandy and King of England. It was here that William forced Harold Godwinson to take the oath, the breaking of which led to the Norman conquest of England."

Source: Wikipedia

Battle '11

Battle '11

Battle '11.
This is the view south from the hill where the Saxon army was stationed towards the Norman lines. Battle Monastery (right behind me) was built on the site where Harold fell, so this is where the king would have stood.

Battle '11

Battle '11