The Saxons & Vikings
Top Border Motifs from left to right
Residents of Axbridge watching the performance from their windows, overlooking the Square. The sun representing the weather on the days of the performance. A pair of scissors with reference to the cutting out of the costumes.
Top Border Motifs from left to right continued
The scenes title on a scroll. A camera representing all the photographers snapping away. Hammer and nails used for building the stage and scenery. Hay bales that were put out in front of The Lamb Inn.
The Middle
The invasion of Wessex by the Danes and subsequent battles and defeat of the invaders by King Alfred.
The Middle continued
It depicts a battle taking place with the Danes on the left of the scene with their Raven banner and the opposing Saxons on the righthand side with their white Wyvern banner. The backdrop shows the outline of the Mendip Hills with the Saxon settlement beneath them near to the River Axe. The name Axbridge either means settlement by the River Axe or the ash bridge over the river.
Bottom Border Motifs from left to right
The Crowd. You'll notice that this motif is the mirror of the one on the far right and has the same crowd members throughout the panels, however as many different hands have been embroidering each scene the crowd looks different in each one. An Anglo-Saxon symbol as depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry. A coracle used for travelling the waterways. A Saxon coin of Alfred and a Viking Raven penny.
Bottom border motifs continued
A Viking ship as depicted on a coin of the era. An Anglo-Saxon symbol as depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry. The Crowd.