An embroidered wall-hanging in coloured wool on linen, narrating events leading up to the invasion of England by William of Normandy, and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Probably commissioned by William's half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux in N France, and embroidered in S England c.106777, its length is 68 m/224 ft, and its height 46 cm54 cm/1821 in. The contemporary social, military, architectural, and iconographic information the tapestry provides is of unparalleled importance.
The Bayeux Tapestry (French: Tapisserie de Bayeux) is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft) long embroidered cloth which depicts scenes commemorating the Battle of Hastings in 1066, with annotations in Latin.
Origins of the Tapestry
Since the earliest known written reference to the tapestry in a 1476 inventory of Bayeux Cathedral, its origins have been the subject of much speculation and controversy.
In France it has traditionally been assumed that the tapestry was commissioned and created by Queen Matilda, William the Conqueror's wife, and her ladies. Indeed, in France it is occasionally known as "La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde" (Tapestry of Queen Matilda). However, recent scholarly analysis in the 20th century shows it probably was commissioned by William the Conqueror's half brother, Bishop Odo. The reasons for the Odo commission theory include: three of the bishop's followers mentioned in Domesday Book appear on the tapestry;
Assuming Bishop Odo commissioned the tapestry, it was probably designed and constructed in England by Anglo-Saxon artists given that: Odo's main power base was in Kent, the Latin text contains hints of Anglo Saxon, other embroideries originate from England at this time, and the vegetable dyes can be found in cloth traditionally woven there.
One other candidate, recently put forward by the art historian Carola Hicks, is Edith of Wessex.
The tapestry is a French national treasure, and its possible Anglo-Saxon artistic heritage has remained a point of controversy.
Modern history of the Tapestry
The tapestry was rediscovered in the late 17th century in Bayeux (where it had been traditionally displayed once a year at the Feast of the Relics), and engravings of it were published in the 1730s by Bernard de Montfaucon. Napoleon wanted to use the tapestry as inspiration for his planned attack on England. When this plan was cancelled, the tapestry was returned to Bayeux. The townspeople wound the tapestry up and stored it like a scroll. (Crack 1) After being seized by the Ahnenerbe, the tapestry spent much of World War II in the basement of the Louvre.
The plot of the Tapestry
The tapestry tells the story of the Norman conquest of England. The two combatants are the Anglo-Saxon English, led by Harold Godwinson, recently crowned as King of England, before that a powerful earl, and the Normans, descendants of the Vikings, (Baker 1) led by William the Conqueror. The two sides can be distinguished on the tapestry by the customs of the day.
The main character of the tapestry is William the Conqueror. William was the illegitimate son of Robert the Magnificent, Duke of Normandy, and Herleva, a tanner's daughter. (Barclay 31) William was 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in).
The tapestry begins with a panel of King Edward, who has no heir. Edward decides to send Harold Godwinson, the most powerful earl in England to his cousin William of Normandy to tell William he has been selected as the next King of England. William sends two messengers to demand his release, and Count Guy of Ponthieu quickly releases him to William. William, perhaps to impress Harold, invites him to come on a campaign with him to relieve a castle under siege. William and Harold celebrate their victory together, and Harold pledges on the bones of saints (holy relics) to support William in securing the English throne.
Some months later a star with hair appears: Halley's Comet. On the other side of the channel in France, William hears that he has been betrayed and vows to take England. William orders his men to pillage, to bring Harold down faster, who is involved in a battle with another contender for the throne of England, the Norwegian Harald Hardraada, whom he defeats. William prepares for battle when he hears that Harold is coming.
Finally, the famous day dawns: October 14, 1066. Harold forced his troops to march the distance in just three days, (from Stamford Bridge, (Yorkshire) where the battle against Harald Hardrade had taken place), which further exhausted his troops. Soon the Normans fall back in retreat, and some of Harold's men defy orders and follow them. William's horse is killed in the battle and a rumour goes through the ranks he is dead.
The aftermath
Although events after the battle are not portrayed, we may complete the story here. William was crowned king of England on Christmas day by Archbishop Ealdred of York. After capturing London, William returned to Normandy, and then came back to continue subduing the people of England. William even imprisoned Odo in 1082.
Mysteries of the Tapestry
The tapestry contains several mysteries:
There is a panel with what appears to be a clergyman striking a woman. (Setton 125) At least two panels of the tapestry are missing, perhaps even another 6.4 m (7 yards) worth. The identity of Harold II of England in the vignette depicting his death is disputed. Some recent historians disagree with the traditional view that Harold II is the figure struck in the eye with an arrow. The view that it is Harold is supported by the fact that the words Harold Rex (King Harold) appear right above the figure's head. Evidence of this can be found in a comparison with engravings of the tapestry in 1729 by Bernard de Montfaucon, in which the arrow is absent. A figure is slain with a sword in the subsequent plate and the phrase above the figure refers to Harold's death (Interfectus est, "he is killed"). In addition it was common medieval iconography (symbolism) that a perjuror dies with a weapon through the eye, thus the tapestry suspiciously emphasises William's rightful claim to the throne, since Harold broke his oath to William and thus died with an arrow in his eye.Reliability
While political propaganda or personal emphasis may have somewhat distorted the historical accuracy of the story, the Bayeux tapestry presents a unique visual document of medieval arms, apparel, and other objects unlike any other artifact surviving from this period.
In the arts and popular culture
The piece, although conventionally referred to as a tapestry, is not a true tapestry. a tapestry is woven. The tapestry has been parodied in later embroidery and artwork, particularly those involving invasions (such as the Overlord embroidery now at Portsmouth). In modern times, the tapestry has become something of an Internet phenomenon, in which tapestry images are photoshopped, and text, often mimicking Middle English, is inserted. It is a derivative phenomenon, meaning that the fake tapestries are used to pay homage to a more established pop culture reference. Sections of the tapestry were used for the opening credits of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves as well as the Disney movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks. The tapestry is cited in Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics as an early example of narrative art.Gallery
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Fleeing troops |
Sailing to Hastings |
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