After a day spent exploring the battle torn coast of Normandy, one would be forgiven for considering humans to be an invasive species. We started the morning with a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry, which portrays the Norman invasion of England in 1066. Our afternoon was spent traveling to sites that commemorated an assault from the opposite direction: the Allied forces attack on German positions during the infamous D-Day operation of 1944. Nearly 1000 years separate these two important historical events, yet our journey revealed some common threads (pun intended).
It turns out; the Bayeux Tapestry is not a tapestry at all. It is a masterpiece of embroidery, commissioned in the late 11th Century, to tell the story of William the Conqueror’s successful invasion of England. It has been said that history is written by the winners, and that is surely the case with this impressive length of visually stunning, yet entirely propagandistic, piece of fabric. Stretching over 70 meters long, it spins an epic tale of power, betrayal, intrigue and violence that ends with a fatal arrow in the eye of Harold, William’s rival for the English crown.
Our historical study of the invasion from Normandy transitioned to the invasion into Normandy, but first we enjoyed an excellent lunch at a lovely country chateau. The perfect weather allowed the large French doors to be thrown open to let brilliant sun and a light breeze into the dining room.
While the events portrayed in the Bayeux Tapestry are ancient history, the horrors of World War II are shockingly recent. The over 9000 gravestones spread out across the American Cemetery are a solemn reminder of the many lives that were cut short far too soon on the idyllic beaches and pastures of Normandy.
It was a day that revealed the contradictory nature of humanity. On the one hand, we observed our ability to create intricate and moving works of art, massive cathedrals that soar towards the heavens and ingenious man-made harbors that tame the power of the sea. While our strengths are impressive, today also forced us to face our flaws and follies, our capacity for violence, warfare, hatred and destruction. It was a day that was simultaneously inspirational and humbling.
