The ships appear in an overlapping manner as a means of emphasizing the number of ships involved in the invasion. You will notice the top border has disappeared at the start of the boat scene, allowing more space for the main scene . The first illustrations displaying horse-transport in western Europe are to be found in the Bayeux Tapestry. This venture required the transfer of 2,000 to 3,000 horses from Normandy and possibly half the ships in the fleet were used for horse transport. After William’s successful conquest of England, he continued to bring horses across from Normandy for breeding purposes, improving the bloodstock of the English horses.