11-25 Nov Sailing the Pacific

 

This post is based primarily on Don's notes, occasionally supplemented with MT's notes from our cruise in November-December 2023. When information from other sources is added—for further explanation to readers or to satisfy our own curiosity—that is set off in a text box (as this one).
Most of the photos that accompany this post are from Don’s camera (with a caption indicating the time it was taken); those from MT’s iPhone are indicated by “MT” placed at the beginning of the photo caption. Photos from any other source (such as the public domain Wikimedia Commons), occasionally used for clarification, indicate that source in the caption.

The Viking Daily newsletter showed today's weather forecast as "Rain Shower 84° F" and "Sunrise: 6:23 AM."

MT Saturday, November 25, ‎2023, 5:54 AM - Viking Star: Sunrise (mild telephoto 40 mm).

MT 5:55 AM - Viking Star: Sunrise above horizon (mild telephoto 40 mm).

Don got up for bathroom at 6:00 am and intended to sleep some more. However, MT got up and opened the curtains.

At 7:15, we went to the World Café (Deck 7) for breakfast.

At 8:15-9:15, we went for a walk on the Deck 2 track. The crew were cleaning the salt off what they called the "salt side" on Decks 2, 8, and 9.

At 11:00, we went to the Theater (Deck 2) for "A Culinary Voyage - Highlights of Your Ocean Journey" with Executive Chef Joseph and Restaurant Manager Kayhan who, through engaging anecdotes, shared highlights from their careers both on land and at sea. They covered their remarkable achievements, innovative culinary techniques, and the unique challenges they had overcome in crafting exceptional dining experiences.

At 11:40, we went to Mamsens (Deck 7) for a lunch of split pea soup and sandwiches.

While we were eating, there was a PA announcement by the Captain that Viking was adding an extra stop  on November 27 at Raiatea, French Polynesia (between Bora Bora and  Moorea),  the first time ever for Viking.

This announcement prompted MT to search for Raiatea on her iPhone.

MT "9:43" (probably 11:43) AM - Viking Star:  Wikipedia page with top figure captioned: "The Island of Bora Bora (top) Tahaa (middle) and Raiatea (bottom). Tahaa and Raiatea shame the same lagoon." The bottom figure shows a map of the "Fenua Sociétés" (Society Islands) with Raiatea just southeast of Bora Bora and far to the northwest of Moorea. (Both figures are from the Wikipedia entry for Society Islands.)

The Society Islands (French: Iles de la Société) are an archipelago in the South Pacific that includes the major islands of Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, and Huahine. Politically, they are part of French Polynesia. The archipelago is believed to have been named by Captain James Cook in honor of the Royal Society of London, the sponsor of his first British scientific exploration of the islands in 1769. However, Cook wrote in his journal that he called the islands “Society” because they lay contiguous to one another.
They are also known as Fenua Sociétés in Tahitian, the primary language spoken in the archipelago, with fenua meaning “island[s]”in Tahitian.

Then Cruise Director Katy announced that we were invited come to the Pool Deck (Deck 7) at 1:00 to sing "Happy Birthday"  to Viking guest Bernie, who was taking this cruise to celebrate his upcoming 100th birthday although he was was "just" 99 ½  at the time of the cruise. After singing, there would be cake for all.

At 12:15, we went to the Theater (Deck 2)  for "Name that TV Theme Tune Trivia" with Assistant Cruise Director Jonny. Our team of 5 got 16 of 25 tunes, but the winner got all 25.

At 1:00, we went to the Pool Deck (Deck 7) for Bernie's birthday celebration.

 

MT 12:59 PM - Viking Star: Bernie, still spry at 99 ½, making his entrance on Pool Deck, with his wife (younger) following (telephoto 85 mm).

MT 1:00 PM - Viking Star: Cruise Director Katy putting a "Birthday Princ[ess]" sash around Bernie's neck.

MT  1:04 PM - Viking Star: Bernie with his "Birthday Princess" and his wife handing him a knife to cut his "Happy Birthday Bernie" cake.99 ½ 

MT 1:04 PM - Viking Star: Bernie and his wife flanked by Restaurant Manager  Kayhan Hakil (left) and Executive Chef Joseph Dabassious (right).

After singing "Happy Birthday, we realized that there would be a huge line to get the birthday cake. So we went back to Mamsen's (also on Deck 7) for Apple Cake.

At 3:00, MT went to Torshavn (Deck 2) for the second session of "Viking Star Choir," which the Viking Daily newsletter still described as a "fun sing-along" but was starting to prepare for actually performing for the rest of the guests later on in the cruise. (At this point, Don decided to pass on this.)

Instead, he decided to revisit the route of the "Bayeux Tapestry Tour," which we had attended on November 24 on which Viking Resident Historian Wing Commander (ret.) William Simpson provided insight into the blown-up images of various parts of the story told by the tapestry displayed on each level of the main staircases (once down the forward staircase, from Deck 9 forward down to Deck 1,  and once down the aft staircase, from Deck 8 aft down to Deck 1) following their order on the tapestry and telling the story they depict, although they do not include all 58 scenes of the tapestry.

The Bayeux Tapestry is an embroidered cloth, nearly 230 ft long and 20 inches tall, that depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, led by William, Duke of Normandy challenging Harold II, King of England, and culminating in the Battle of Hastings. The tapestry is thought to date back to the 11th century, within a few years of the battle. Now widely accepted to have been made in England, perhaps as a gift to William, it tells the story from the point of view of the conquering Normans. For centuries it has been preserved in Normandy and since 1983 has been displayed at the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux in Bayeux, Normandy, France (which Don and MT had visited in 2012).

Entire Bayeaux Tapestry - panorama (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Tapisserie_de_Bayeux_31109.jpg).

 

The entire Bayeux Tapestry (scroll left or right using the arrows). Individual images of each scene are at Bayeux Tapestry tituli at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_Tapestry .

The cloth consists of 58 scenes, many with Latin tituli (plural of titulus, Latin for "inscription" or "label," meaning a label or caption naming figures of subjects of art, which were commonly added in classical and medieval art). They are embroidered on linen with colored woolen yarns. It is likely that it was commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux (ca. 1035-1097), William’s maternal half-brother, and made for him in England in the 1070s. The earliest known written reference to the tapestry is a 1476 inventory of Bayeux Cathedral, built by Odo and consecrated in 1077. In 1729, it was rediscovered by scholars when it was being displayed in Bayeux Cathedral. It can be seen as a rare example of secular Romanesque art.

Lacking a record of Mr. Simpson's informative and entertaining commentary, Don's photo captions and associated text boxes will rely on information from reliable Internet sources, including those of the Reading Museum in Reading, Berkshire, England (which has a replica of the tapestry) and Wikipedia (which numbered the 58 scenes according to their Latin tituli), supplemented by public domain photos from Wikimedia Commons.

Don's photos from November 24 apparently only covered part of the tour (7 of the 9 scenes displayed here), and he had to take them from available angles due to the number of other passengers on the tour. So he came back the next day to repeat the tour on his own, still finding only 9 of the 58 scenes, but only 8 that were different from those of the previous day. Therefore, this post will include photos from both days, supplemented by public domain photos from Wikimedia Commons with commentary from a combination of Wikipedia and other Internet sources. Don took photos of 9 scenes on the forward staircase at 2:52-2:58 pm, then repeated that 2:58-3:07. For some reason, he did not do the aft staircase, possibly thinking it had been covered well the previous day. With those 8 scenes, there were a total of 17 for the tour, out of the 58 scenes on the tapestry.

For those who may be interested, Don has added Appendix A to this Blog to include all 58 scenes identified by Wikipedia, each with public domain photo(s) from Wikimedia Commons along with the associated Latin titulus, its English translation, and additional commentary from a combination of Wikipedia and other Internet sources.

2:52 PM - Viking Star: Bayeux Tapestry Tour - Scene 1 EDWARD[US] REX (King Edward), from top of forward staircase.

Bayeux Tapestry - Scene 1 EDWARD[US] REX (King Edward). (By ~ - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html; Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17141777).

Scene 1 EDWARD[US] REX (King Edward). Edward the Confessor (c. 1003 – 5 January 1066) was an Anglo-Saxon English king and saint. He was the son of Æthelred the Unready, King of the English, and Emma of Normandy, a Norman-born noblewoman (referred to as Ælfgifu in royal documents), who by marriages after Edward’s death also became the Danish and Norwegian queen. Usually considered the last king of the House of Wessex, Edward ruled from 1042 until his death in 1066. Emma was the sister of Harold Godwinson, who succeeded Edward.

This scene shows Edward, seated on his throne at Westminster. The shorter of the two men to his left seems to be his brother-in-law Harold (dressed as in scene 2, where he is identified).

In 1064, Edward, still childless, naturally turned to William of Normandy, his first cousin once removed, to succeed him on the throne. So he decided to send his brother-in-law Harold to Normandy to deliver his message to William.

Harold Godwinson (c. 1022 – 14 October 1066), also called Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon English king. Harold reigned from 6 January 1066 until his death at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, the decisive battle of the Norman Conquest. Harold's death marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule over England. He was succeeded by William the Conqueror.

3:00 PM - Viking Star: Bayeux Tapestry Tour - Scene 1 EDWARD[US] REX (King Edward).

2:53 PM - Viking Star: Bayeux Tapestry Tour - Right side of Scene 4 HIC HAROLD MARE NAVIGAVIT (Here Harold sailed by sea).

 

Bayeux Tapestry - Scene 4 HIC HAROLD MARE NAVIGAVIT (Here Harold sailed by sea). (By ~ - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html; Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17141027).

 
Scene 4 HIC HAROLD MARE NAVIGAVIT (Here Harold sailed by sea). Harold and his knights arrive at Bosham, a coastal village in West Sussex, where he had many houses including a manor house. The night before they leave, a feast is held in Harold’s manor house at Bosham (at left). Then, Harold (at right) sets sail from Bosham to cross the channel. He is shown here carrying a hawk as he boards the ship. In the history of England, falconry was considered a royal sport. Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon king, has traditionally been considered a falconer because he is portrayed at several places on the Bayeux Tapestry carrying a hawk.

2:54 PM - Viking Star: Bayeux Tapestry Tour - Scene 6 HAROLD (Harold).

 

Scene 6 HAROLD (Harold). (By ~ - hs-augsburg.de; Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17141780).

 
Scene 6 HAROLD (Harold). Harold Godwinson (c. 1022 – 14 October 1066), also called Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon English king. Harold reigned from 6 January 1066 until his death at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, the decisive battle of the Norman Conquest. Harold's death marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule over England. He was succeeded by William the Conqueror.
In this scene, Harold stands at the front of the ship that is already anchored, below his Latin name. Others from his ship have already disembarked. A second ship is about to drop anchor. (At the far right in this photo, part of Scene 7 and its titulus, is shown; in this part of that scene, Harold, upon disembarking, is immediately seized by Guy’s soldiers.)
Scene 7 HIC APPREHENDIT WIDO HAROLDU[M] (Here Wido seized Harold). Harold is shown disembarking the ship and being immediately seized by Count Guy’s soldiers, while Count Guy directs operations from horseback.

DSC02833 (Scene 7 HIC APPREHENDIT WIDO HAROLDU[M] By ~ - hs-augsburg.de; Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17141781).

 

Scene 7 HIC APPREHENDIT WIDO HAROLDU[M] (Here Wido seized Harold). Harold is shown disembarking the ship and being immediately seized by Count Guy’s soldiers, while Count Guy directs operations from horseback.

 

DSC02833a Scene 8. ET DUXIT EUM AD BELREM ET IBI EUM TENUIT (and led him to Beaurain and held him there) (By ~ - hs-augsburg.de; Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17141782).

 

Scene 8. ET DUXIT EUM AD BELREM ET IBI EUM TENUIT (and led him to Beaurain and held him there). [Beaurainville (West Flemish: Belrem) is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region in northern France.]

 

November 24, 2023 1:17 PM - Viking Star: Bayeux Tapestry Tour - Wing Commander (ret.) William Simpson near start of tour, at part of Scene 9 UBI HAROLD WIDO PARABOLANT (Where Harold and Wido confer).

 

Scene 9  UBI HAROLD WIDO PARABOLANT (Where Harold and Wido confer) (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17141783).

 
Scene 9 UBI HAROLD WIDO PARABOLANT (Where Harold and Wido confer). Count Guy I of Ponthieu (also known in the Bayeux Tapestry as Wido) was born sometime in the mid- to late 1020s and died 13 October 1100. Harold’s forces, having sailed from Normandy, landed in his territory, Ponthieu, and Harold is captured by Count Guy. Messengers from Guy's overlord, Duke William of Normandy, demand Harold's release, and Guy takes Harold to meet William.

2:54 PM - Viking Star: part of Scene 9 UBI HAROLD WIDO PARABOLANT (Where Harold and Wido confer), with Count Guy (Wido) seated and pointing at Harold.

2:55 PM - Scene 17 ET HIC TRANSIERUNT FLUMEN COSNONIS (and here they crossed the river Couesnon).

 

Scene 17 ET HIC TRANSIERUNT FLUMEN COSNONIS (and here they crossed the river Couesnon). (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17141894).

 
ET HIC TRANSIERUNT FLUMEN COSNONIS (and here they crossed the river Couesnon). The Couesnon is a river that forms an estuary at Mont-Saint-Michel. The mount had gained strategic significance in 933, when it became part of Normandy. After Harold is released to William, William invites him to accompany him on a campaign against Conan II, Duke of Brittany. On the way, just outside the monastery of Mont Saint-Michel, the army becomes mired in quicksand. Here, Harold is pictured rescuing two Norman knights from the quicksand in the tidal flats.
 

02836b Scene 17 (cont) HIC HAROLD DUX TRAHEBAT EOS DE ARENA (Here earl Harold dragged them from the sand). (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17141894). Higher-resolution detail shows one knight falling into the quicksand as his horse stumbles and then Harold rescuing two knights from the quicksand.

2:56 PM - Scene 19 HIC MILITES WILLELMI DUCIS PUGNANT CONTRA DINANTES (Here the knights of Duke William fight against the men of Dinan). 

Scene 19 HIC MILITES WILLELMI DUCIS PUGNANT CONTRA DINANTES (Here the knights of Duke William fight against the men of Dinan). (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17141902).

Dinan is a walled Breton town and a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in northwestern France. This scene shows the early castle of Dinan. The Normans catch up with Conan at Dinan. During the battle, soldiers on horseback throw lances, and others try to set fire to the defenses. Conan surrenders and passes the keys of Dinan to William on the point of a lance. 

2:57 PM - Scene 23 UBI HAROLD SACRAMENTUM FECIT WILLELMO DUCI (Where Harold made an oath to Duke William).

 

 

Scene 23 UBI HAROLD SACRAMENTUM FECIT WILLELMO DUCI (Where Harold made an oath to Duke William) (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17142013).
 
William and Harold return to Normandy and reach the town of Bayeux. Harold is shown touching two altars at Bayeux as William watches. According to the Bayreux Tapestry and other Norman sources, Harold swore an oath on sacred relics to support William’s claim to the English throne. After Edward’s death, the Normans were quick to claim that, accepting the crown of England, Harold had broken this oath. After this, Harold, who has been treated as a prisoner, is at last set free and sails back to England.

2:57 PM - Scene 25 ET VENIT AD EDWARDU[M] REGEM (Here earl Harold returned to English land, and he came to King Edward).

 

Scene 25 ET VENIT AD EDWARDU[M] REGEM (and he came to King Edward). (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17142016).
 
Here Harold has returned to England. He talks to King Edward, who is shown as frail and ill, although he was still perfectly healthy at that time. Edward appears to be remonstrating with him. Harold is in a somewhat submissive posture and seems to be in disgrace. However, possibly deliberately, the king's intentions are not made clear.

2:58 PM - Scene 26 HIC PORTATUR CORPUS EADWARDI REGIS AD ECCLESIAM S[AN]C[T]I PETRI AP[OSTO]LI (Here the body of King Edward is carried to the Church of Saint Peter the Apostle).

The Tapestry reverses the scenes of his death (Scenes 27 and 28) and his burial (Scene 26).
 

Scene 27 HIC EADWARDUS REX IN LECTO ALLOQUIT[UR] FIDELES (Here King Edward in bed speaks to his faithful followers). Scene 28 ET HIC DEFUNCTUS EST (and here he died). (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17142018).
In the upper part (Scene 27),  the scene has shifted by about one year since Harold visited Edward in Scene 25, to when Edward has become mortally ill. King Edward is shown in his bed, speaking with his faithful followers, which includes both Harold and Queen Edith. Queen Edith was Harold's sister, originally named Gytha but renamed Ealdgyth (or Edith of Wessex) when she married King Edward. 

The tapestry strongly suggests that, on his deathbed, Edward bequeaths the crown to Harold.

Below (Scene 28), Edward is shown dead with a priest in attendance.
 

Scene 26 HIC PORTATUR CORPUS EADWARDI REGIS AD ECCLESIAM S[AN]C[T]I PETRI AP[OSTO]LI (Here the body of King Edward is carried to the Church of Saint Peter the Apostle).
Westminster Abbey is formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster.
Edward died on the January 5, 1066. Here, we see his funeral procession to Westminster Abbey, his great new church, although Edward had been too ill to attend its consecration on December 28, 1065.

 November 24, 2023 1:32 PM - Viking Star: Bayeux Tapestry Tour - Scene 30 HIC RESIDET HAROLD REX ANGLORUM (Here sits Harold King of the English) and Scene 31 STIGANT ARCHIEP[ISCOPU]S (Archbishop Stigand).

 

Scenes 30 and 31 HIC RESIDET HAROLD REX ANGLORUM (Here sits Harold King of the English) and STIGANT ARCHIEP[ISCOPU]S (Archbishop Stigand). (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17142020).

 
Scene 30 HIC RESIDET HAROLD REX ANGLORUM (Here sits Harold King of the English). In 1064, King Edward of England, still childless, had turned to William of Normandy, his first cousin once removed, to succeed him on the throne. By the end of Edward’s reign, however, Harold had gradually become the strong man of England and the standard-bearer of those opposed to the Normans. Perhaps Edward changed his mind and designated Harold as his successor. On Edward’s death, two noblemen present Harold with the crown and axe, symbols of royal authority that will make him King. Harold accepts the offer. On 6 January 1066, Harold is crowned King in place of William of Normandy. Here, he sits on the throne with nobles to the left and Archbishop Stigand to the right. At the far right, he is cheered on by the masses.

Scene 31 STIGANT ARCHIEP[ISCOPU]S (Archbishop Stigand). Stigand (died 1072) was an Anglo-Saxon clergyman in pre-Norman Conquest England, who became Bishop of Elmham in 1043 and later Archbishop of Canterbury; from the latter, he was deposed in 1070, imprisoned, and his wealth confiscated by William the Conqueror.

 

November 24, 2023 1:43 PM - Viking Star: Bayeux Tapestry Tour - Scene 35 HIC WILLELM[US] DUX JUSSIT NAVES [A]EDIFICARE EDIFICARE (Here Duke William ordered ships to be built), with Wing Commander (ret.) William Simpson; MT in foreground.

Scene 35 HIC WILLELM[US] DUX JUSSIT NAVES [A]EDIFICARE EDIFICARE (Here Duke William ordered ships to be built) (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17142095).

 
Scene 35 HIC WILLELM[US] DUX JUSSIT NAVES [A]EDIFICARE (Here Duke William ordered ships to be built). When news of Edward's death and Harold's coronation is carried across the channel to William, William is furious. The throne of England should be his, and he saw Harold as an usurper. William then decides to attack England and organizes a fleet of warships.

November 24, 2023 1:57 PM - Viking Star: Bayeux Tapestry Tour - left end of Scene 48 HIC MILITES EXIERUNT DE HESTENGA ET VENERUNT AD PR[O]ELIUM CONTRA HAROLDUM REGE[M] (Here the knights have left Hastings and have come to the battle against King Harold) and Wing Commander (ret.) William Simpson.

Scene 48 HIC MILITES EXIERUNT DE HESTENGA ET VENERUNT AD PR[O]ELIUM CONTRA HAROLDUM REGE[M] (Here the knights have left Hastings and have come to the battle against King Harold). (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh - Public Domain, <a href=https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17142145).

 
Scene 48 HIC MILITES EXIERUNT DE HESTENGA ET VENERUNT AD PR[O]ELIUM CONTRA HAROLDUM REGE[M] (Here the knights have left Hastings and have come to the battle against King Harold). At the far left, before the battle, William is shown dressed in full armor, preparing to mount his dark horse. Then the Norman cavalry rides out to meet the Harold’s Anglo-Saxons.

November 24, 2023 1:58 PM - Viking Star: Bayeux Tapestry Tour - right end of Scene 51b HIC WILLELM[US] DUX ALLOQUITUR SUIS MILITIBUS UT PREPAREN[T] SE VIRILITER ET SAPIENTER AD PR[O]ELIUM CONTRA ANGLORUM EXERCITU[M] (Here Duke William speaks to his knights to prepare themselves manfully and wisely for the battle against the army of the English), with Wing Commander (ret.) William Simpson.

 

Scene 51a HIC WILLELM[US] DUX ALLOQUITUR SUIS MILITIBUS UT PREPAREN[T] SE VIRILITER ET SAPIENTER AD PR[O]ELIUM CONTRA ANGLORUM EXERCITU[M] (Here Duke William speaks to his knights to prepare themselves manfully and wisely for the battle against the army of the English). (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17151751).

 
Scene 51a HIC WILLELM[US] DUX ALLOQUITUR SUIS MILITIBUS UT PREPAREN[T] SE VIRILITER ET SAPIENTER AD PR[O]ELIUM CONTRA ANGLORUM EXERCITU[M] (Here Duke William speaks to [or harangues] his knights to prepare themselves manfully and wisely for the battle against the army of the English). The Duke, at far left, on a red horse, urges Norman knights to charge as the battle begins.

 

Scene 51b. Right side of same scene, continuing the same titulus. The Normans charge, and the Battle of Hastings begins. (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17151749).

 
On the far right of the same scene, Duke William, on a black horse, leads the charge at the start of the battle. As arrows and lances fly through the air, many men lie dead or wounded on the battlefield (on the lower border of the tapestry). The English soldiers, who are all on foot, protect themselves with a wall of shields.

November 24, 2023 2:00 PM - Viking Star: Bayeux Tapestry Tour - Scene 56b HIC FRANCI PUGNANT ET CECIDERUNT QUI ERANT CUM HAROLDO (Here the French are fighting and have killed those who were with Harold), and Wing Commander (ret.) William Simpson.

 

Scene 56a E[USTA]TIUS (Eustace). (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17143621).

 
Scene 56a E[USTA]TIUS (Eustace). Eustace II, (c. 1015–c. 1087), also known as Eustace aux Grenons ("Eustace with long moustaches"), was Count of Boulogne from 1049 to 1087. He fought on the Norman side at the Battle of Hastings, and afterwards received large grants of land forming an honor (feudal barony) in England.
 

Scene 56b HIC FRANCI PUGNANT ET CECIDERUNT QUI ERANT CUM HAROLDO (Here the French are fighting and have killed those who were with Harold). (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17142224).

 
Scene 56b HIC FRANCI PUGNANT ET CECIDERUNT QUI ERANT CUM HAROLDO (Here the French are fighting and have killed those who were with Harold). Those who fell here included Leofwine and Gyrth, brothers of King Harold.

 

November 24, 2023 - Scene 56b HIC FRANCI PUGNANT ET CECIDERUNT QUI ERANT CUM HAROLDO (Here the French are fighting and have killed those who were with Harold).

November 24, 2023 2:01 PM - Viking Star: Bayeux Tapestry Tour - Scene 57 HIC HAROLD REX INTERFECTUS EST (Here King Harold was slain),

and Wing Commander (ret.) William Simpson.

 

Scene 57 HIC HAROLD REX INTERFECTUS EST (Here King Harold was slain) (By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. - http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost11/Bayeux/bay_tama.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17142228 ).

Scene 57 HIC HAROLD REX INTERFECTUS EST (Here King Harold was slain). As the battle continues, the Normans seem to be getting the upper hand. Many more soldiers die, and one appears to be having his head cut off. On the right is the best-known scene in the Tapestry: the Normans killing King Harold. But how is Harold killed? He seems to be shown twice: first plucking an arrow from his eye, and then being hacked down by a Norman knight. The tapestry is difficult to interpret here, but the second figure is probably Harold.

Scene 57 HIC HAROLD REX INTERFECTUS EST (Here King Harold was slain); detail of yellow arrow. (By Unknown seemsters - http://www.medievalists.net/2012/11/15/new-research-on-how-the-bayeux-tapestry-was-made/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29296693).

The figure standing below the inscription is currently depicted gripping an arrow that has struck his eye. This, however, may have been a late 18th- or early 19th- century modification to the Tapestry. Some historians have questioned whether this man is intended to be Harold or if the panel shows two instances of Harold in sequence of his death: the figure standing to the left of the central figure commonly thought to be Harold, and then lying to the right almost supine being slain with a sword and mutilated beneath a horse's hooves.

With Harold dead, the battle is over. The victorious Normans chase the remaining English from the battlefield. The final scene from the tapestry has been lost. It may have shown William being crowned King of England. This would match the scene at the very beginning of the tapestry, which shows King Edward secure on the throne just two years earlier.

November 24, 2023 2:10 PM - Viking Star: Bayeux Tapestry Tour - part of same Scene 57 HIC HAROLD REX INTERFECTUS EST (Here King Harold was slain), with Wing Commander (ret.) William Simpson; here, the yellow arrow is barely visible.

Returning to our  stateroom, we found a map of Raiatea (from the Tahiti Tourisme office), which would be useful for our shore excursion there, but Don's photo is not included here due to copyright,

At 4:15, we went to the Theater (Deck 2) for the "Port Talk - Papeete,Tahiti," although we would not reach that port until November 29.

At 6:00, we went to The Restaurant (Deck 2) for out pre-ordered dinner.

MT 6:06 PM - Viking Star: sky before sunset (mild telephoto 67 mm).

According to the Viking Daily newsletter, sunset was to be at 6:23 pm.

After dinner, we went to the Atrium (Deck 1) for "Munch Moments" (6:00-6:45), with Resident Pianist Simina playing traditional Norwegian music while Munch's dramatic pieces are on the Atrium screen. Viewers were also provided a booklet about Munch's works, to help identify paintings.

MT 6:23 PM - Viking Star: View, from Deck 1 of 3-deck Atrium, up to screen on staircase landing showing works of Munch, with Resident Pianist Simini in left foreground (mild telephoto 58 mm).

MT 6:25 PM - Viking Star: View, from Deck 1 of 3-deck Atrium, up to screen on staircase landing showing painting of horses by Munch (mild telephoto 61 mm).

MT 6:29 PM - Viking Star: View, from Deck 1 of 3-deck Atrium, up to screen on staircase landing showing painting "Man with Horse" (1932-40), by Munch (telephoto 90 mm).

Returning to our stateroom, we pre-ordered dinner for November 26 at The Restaurant.

10:07 PM - Viking Star: Back side of Don's menu; he ordered Dark Chocolate Tart (whipped cream, light Tahitian vanilla custard cream) from the Destination Menu, Sancocho (veal & chicken broth with yucca, corn, plantain, cilantro) from Starters, and Risotto al Tartufu e Spugnole (black truffle & morel mushroom risotto) from Main Courses. (No photo of MT's menu this time.)