The Norman invasion had an enormous impact on the history of England—economically, politically and linguistically. Our celebration is not of the victory of the French-speaking Normans over the Saxons. It is to recognize that the the great literature, language and institutions of the English would not have been the same had not William the Conqueror defeated Harold on Senlac Hill. Below is a representative map of the event. Notice that the Norman troops were arrayed in three groups, which consisted of foot soldiers, archers and cavalry. Harold’s forces, represented in red, made a shield wall, which seemed invincible when unbroken, but once weakened by a ruse, the Norman forces were able to penetrate and later defeat Harold’s ax-wielding men. Our cake decorators tried to reflect the more gruesome aspects of the war, which included the gouging of King Harold’s eye by an arrow. Don’t worry, girls; it’s food coloring!