Hi all - my daughter (brag time!) is an 18 year old military
historian specializing in WWII airborne ops, and has been invited to
speak in Normandy for the 65th anniversary of D-Day in June. We will
be over for several weeks, since I figure if we spend the money to
get across the “pond” we might as well make the most of it! She will
be touring with a WWII veteran and another expert, but I hope to have
some time to do some non-military things also.
Any Orchidians in the Normandy area? Bastogne? Holland? (all areas
she has studied battles from, and that we will probably visit). And
jewelry “must sees” that I should try to fit in?
This is not Orchidian but the first thing that popped into my mind!
The Bayeaux Tapestry is in Normandy and is a fascinating treasure.
Going to see it is one of my lifetime goals and I envy your
opportunity! It is 20 inches tall by 230 FEET long and is displayed
at eye level so that one can go around the room and see it all.
It is the telling of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, when William
the Conqueror invaded and beat out Harold for the throne of England,
which would have a huge influence on the culture and literature of
England for centuries. The tapestry itself also has a very
interesting history of its own. At one time, around the time of the
French revolution, some people wanted to use it as a covering for
ammunitions wagons. A French lawyer squirreled away and hid it for
30 years to protect it. Thank goodness he did or else it would have
been lost forever!
Go to Wikipedia and read about it and see pictures. You can even
create your own virtual tapestry: (cut and paste)
BTW, France in June should be wonderful and the food!!! Oh la la!!!
Ce sera merveilleux! (It will be marvellous!)
Oh, wow! Thanks! Had not even thought of that, although as an art
major I have studied it - and my dh’s family supposedly descends
from a Captain of the Horse with the Normans at the Battle of
Hastings… we have walked the battlefield on another trip, and see
the Magna Carta he “signed” in Salisbury. Cool!