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How Halley's Comet Struck Fear Into Medieval Europe in 1066
The 1066 return of Halley's Comet left a deep impression on medieval society, famously captured in the Bayeux Tapestry. Citizens and leaders alike viewed the celestial phenomenon with dread, interpreting it as an ominous harbinger of doom and political upheaval. Historical records highlight how the appearance of the comet coincided with pivotal events, most notably the Norman Conquest of England. The visual narrative woven into the tapestry skillfully framed the era's dramatic shifts as divine retribution or fate.