The Bayeux Tapestry

Among the earliest images of the Standard Poodle is this one, from the Bayeux Tapestry, commemorating the victory of William the Conqueror over the English at the Battle of Hastings. Here a poodle scopes out the feast served to the victors. The poodle's role in the actual Battle of Hastings will long be debated by scholars, but the consensus among those who know poodles seems to be that poodles, though renowned for their ferocity, were probably saving their energy for the post-victory feast.

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