Program Information

The white cliffs of southern England shimmered just at the edge of sight and Roman, missionary, Viking, Briton, Angle, Saxon and Jute established homes and fortunes only to be challenged to defend their inheritance from subsequent marauders.

A Moment in Time is a brief, exciting and compelling journey into the past. Created to excite and enlighten the public about the past, its relevance to the present and its impact on the future, A Moment In Time is a captivating historical narrative that is currently broadcast worldwide.

Transcript

Lead: Propaganda comes in many forms. One of the most elaborate pieces of propaganda, this one from the 11th Century, was stitched.

Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.

Content: The white cliffs of southern England shimmered just at the edge of sight and Roman, missionary, Viking, Briton, Angle, Saxon and Jute established homes and fortunes only to be challenged to defend their inheritance from subsequent marauders.

By the year 1000, the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom was well established holding the loyalty of most of the landholders and military officials in the south and east of England. In 1060 the ruler was popular King Edward the Confessor. At his death he reportedly conveyed the Kingdom to Harold Godwine, Earl of East Anglia and Wessex. This was a controversial move and provoked a challenge from the French aristocrat, William, Duke of Normandy. William asserted that Edward had promised the Kingdom to him and that Harold had confirmed it in the form of an oath of loyalty.

The subsequent Norman invasion and Harold's death at the Battle of Hastings in October 1066 settled the major issues of succession but continued Saxon resistance insured that it would be generations before the Normans could rest assured of their conquest. As part of their campaign to hold England, they suppressed the Saxon side of the story and created their own history. One magnificent example of Norman propaganda was the Bayeaux (bi you) Tapestry. Next time: A stitch or two tells time. Research assistance by Carol Cullinan and Joanna Marcinkowska.

At the University of Richmond, this is Dan Roberts.

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