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THIS MAN HAS ORDERED A DITCH TO BE DUG AND A CASTLE BUILT AT HASTINGS - HERE WILLIAM HAS HAD NEWS OF HAROLD

Both supervisors in this scene are knights, as identified by their pennoned lances. In fact, they and the other pennon-bearing figures in the Tapestry are likely the forerunners of the bannerette.

It could be that these workmen are pressed Englishmen from the abbot's confiscated lands. They do not appear to be getting along very well at first - feelings are running high. Two of them attack each other with shovels; but the work progresses quickly and the motte-and-bailey overlooking the beached ships and the fortified camp is finished in a few days.

The messenger is likely the one mentioned in William of Poitiers' Gesta Guillelmi, sent from Robert fitz Wimarc, a relative of duke William's and one of his vassals. The messenger is purported to have said: "King Harold, having fought his own brother and the King of Norway, who was regarded as the most valiant warrior under heaven, has killed both of them in one battle, destroying their powerful armies. . .He is returning to meet you by forced marches, at the head of a very numerous and strong army."

William is seated holding a cross-blazoned banner; yet again we see a visible sign of his favored status with the church. The two supervising knights in the previous scenes also hold banners with crosses, and the similar coloring of the second has led some scholars to posit that he might be william himself. But I think the coloring similarities mean nothing, given the limited number used and the close proximity of the two figures which would logically be stitched in the same yarns. The plethora of cross-bearing banners is simply a visual technique to show the great difference between the righteous French and the "pagan" English, who are never depicted with christian symbols.

HERE A HOUSE IS BURNED - HERE THE KNIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT...

Fitz Wimarc's advice to William to remain inside his fortifications was scorned. He needed a pitched battle with Harold as soon as possible. To get Harold down quickly, William let his men loose on the surrounding countryside. The Tapestry shows a woman and child fleeing as their home is burned. The amount of killing is carefully avoided portrayal. William later regretted his brutal manner in occupying and holding England. But one cannot fault him for knowing what expediency of terror was required to get the desired result: Harold, hearing of the plight of his own subjects, hastened into the Norman bridgehead to stop William's depredations.

William is brought his "potent" stallion: here again is that artistic statement of his own potency. Although no name is tied to this scene, it seems obvious that this figure fully armed for battle is meant to be the Conqueror himself.

...TO HASTINGS AND COME TO BATTLE...

This is my favorite grouping of cavalry on the Tapestry. One can almost hear the thud of hooves and the creak and jangle of harness as they ride by in their column.