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William the Conqueror’s Ship

William the Conqueror’s Ship.jpg The French CroutThumbnailsWarrior 11th CenuryThe French CroutThumbnailsWarrior 11th CenuryThe French CroutThumbnailsWarrior 11th CenuryThe French CroutThumbnailsWarrior 11th CenuryThe French CroutThumbnailsWarrior 11th Cenury

The Bayeux tapestry is probably our earliest trustworthy authority for a British ship, and it gives a considerable number of illustrations of them, intended to represent in one place the numerous fleet which William the Conqueror gathered for the transport of his army across the Channel; in another place the considerable fleet with which Harold hoped to bar the way. The one we have chosen is the duke’s own ship; it displays at its mast-head the banner which the Pope had blessed, and the trumpeter on the high poop is also an evidence that it is the commander’s ship.