Recreating the ‘Mora’

Earlier this year I noted in a post that there is a French project to build a replica of King William I’s flagship, the ‘Mora’ , in his Conquest fleet from 1066 and to sail it to London to mark the millenary of his birth in 2027. My article with the link to the original story in the Daily Telegraph can be seen at Progress on recreating two historic ships

I found subsequently a more detailed account of the ship and the reconstruction plan in a 2022 Guardian article which can be seen at French team to build replica of William the Conqueror’s warship

The work on the new vessel is now advancing in a building site at Honfleur. This was was reported by The Connexion in French team build faithful replica of William the Conqueror’s warship

The article explains that the construction site can be visited to see eleventh century techniques faithfully followed and to learn more about the events of 1066. According to the article the current plan is to have the ship in the water in 2027, and actually crossing the Channel in 2030. 

Wikipedia has an account of the surprising amount that is known of the vessel at Mora (ship)

The History Jar has a short article, from 2016, which tries to strike a humorous note, about the ship at Matilda’s ship – the Mora but which much more importantly includes a link to the essay on The Freelance History Writer from 2014 about the meaning and possible significance of the name, which is referenced in the Wikipedia account. Although one might think that perhaps not all of the possibilities considered were in Duchess Matilda’s mind when she commissioned this handsome, and clearly, from its decoration, very special gift for Duke William they do indicate the range of references and concepts that hovered around the planning of the invasion.

We can I think be certain that the Duchess did not brake a bottle of champagne over the prow of her gift, because champagne had not been invented in 1066, but the ‘Mora’ is, I suppose, the first sea going vessel known to have associated from its very beginning with a royal lady.

I assume that this project is not a deeply plotted and belated response and attempt to undo Brexit with an invasion by M.Macron. Maybe ardent Brexiteers will be gathering when the new ‘Mora’ sets sail to repel invaders….