The Normans

[poliphilo]

If you were a Norman warlord you were always bargaining with your gods. When Rollo first Duke of Normandy was on his death bed he had 100 men decapitated- as a way of making it up to Odin for having- for political reasons- converted to Christianity. His successors built churches and monasteries for similar reasons. William the Conqueror, for instance, refused to bury the Saxon dead on the battlefield of Hastings, then had a fit of remorse and put up an abbey, with its high altar on the very spot where king Harold had died.

I get these facts- or legends or rumours- from Professor Robert Bartlett's new series about the Normans- and what they did for us. It's a low-key series- a glum looking middle-aged man walking round wintry fields and abbeys- and  all the better for not trying too hard.

I used to detest the Normans- a patriotic aversion based on the propaganda I imbibed in childhood which characterised the Normans as "them" and the Saxons as "us".  But, actually, the Normans are "us" as well- and one of the things that markeed them out as a people was the ease and generosity with which they merged with the native populations of the territories they took. Within a generation or two of settling in France they were Frenchmen and within a generation or two of settling in England they were English. Whatever else can be urged against them, they had open minds.

And how can you hate people who produced such great art? All that churchbuilding- and every one a masterpiece- or if not exactly a masterpiece at least honestly and decently made. I find their architecture- the so-called Romanesque- uniquely satisfying. Norman architecture can soar, but never denies- as the later gothic sometimes did- the weight and mass of stone. And then there's the Bayeux tapestry- the world's greatest comic strip.  Professor Bartlett lingered on it, using it to tell the story of Duke William's invasion. It's smaller in scale than I had imagined- a strip of linen narrow enough for a needlewoman to drape over her knees whilst stitching.  For a piece of propaganda- commissioned we believe by William's half brother Odo, bishop of Bayeux- it's remarkably even-handed. Harold is not monstered but shown as heroic, the brutality of the invaders- all that burning and laying waste- is not evaded and the battle scenes are the most honest depiction of warfare outside of the 20th century. A hard-headed people, but- like I said-  generous and open minded too.

Comments

[burkesworks.livejournal.com]

And how can you hate people who produced such great art?

The Harrying of the North. Case dismissed.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

But then we end up hating ourselves, because these are the people who made England.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Missed it - watched Properties from Hell - Spain instead. I'd just reached that time of day when I could no longer cope with anything intellectual...

Must catch it on demand, as it sounds really rather good.

[sovay]

When Rollo first Duke of Normandy was on his death bed he had 100 men decapitated- as a way of making it up to Odin for having- for political reasons- converted to Christianity.

. . . I wouldn't like to have been among those hundred, but in the safely distant historical abstract, I find that kind of touching.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

There were some lovely buildings on show- like L'Abbaye des Dames at Caen- where William and Matilda built "his" and "hers" monasteries to apologise to God for getting married even though the Pope forbade it.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's possible the hundred considered it an honour to be sent to Odin as the Duke's gift.

[(Anonymous)]

I've been to Caen - unfortunately, it was in my unenlightened days when I thought anything post-Roman should be given a good dose of dynamite (I was digging on a Neolithic chambered tomb at the time).

We were 8 miles from Bayeux - I wanted to see that, but had no means of transportation. These days, I'd have begged, borrowed or stolen a bike...

[silverhawkdruid.livejournal.com]

I was lucky enough to see the Bayeux Tapestry in person when I was about 11 or 12 years old. It was the kick start to my fascination with tapestry and cross stitch. It is a glorious piece of art.
What channel was this programme on? I missed it and would like to try and find it online.
Hugs,
Lex xxx

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We were on holiday and driving through northern France and I saw the sign post for Bayeux. I bounced up and down in my seat and my father said "We'll come back tomorrow" and drove on past. But we never did.

It was on BBC 2. There are a couple more episodes to come.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We drove past Bayeux when I was a kid- unfortunately 11th century needlework wasn't really my father's thng- and we didn't stop.

I understand there's a Victorian replica in Reading- perfect in every detail, except that all the naked people have been given pants.

[silverhawkdruid.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'll check it out! :-)

[calizen.livejournal.com]

Good points. Oh, if only we had these series in America, but the BBC-America thinks we want that hellion in the kitchen or the latter-day wannabes of Benny Hill. (I know, these are part of YOUR people as well)

I'm having Marriot Edgar flashbacks, here:

[jorrocks-j.livejournal.com]

King 'Arold strode up when they landed
His face full of venom and hate,
And 'e said "If ye've come for Regatta
Ye've got 'ere just six weeks too late!"

At this William rose cool and 'aughty
And 'e said "Let's 'ave none of your cheek:
Yer'd best 'ave your throne reupholstered
I'll be needin' to use it next week."

Well, when 'Arold 'ad 'eard this defiance
With rage 'e turned purple and blue
And 'e shouted some rude words in Saxon
To which William answered "And you"

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We make good documentaries, I think- and don't give ourselves enough credit for it- because other things- like cooking shows and comedy- are more glamorous.