Bayeux Tapestry

The Bayeux Tapestry

The Bayeux Tapestry (French: Tapisserie de Bayeux) is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft) long embroidered cloth which depicts the events leading up to the 1066 Norman invasion of England as well as the events of the invasion itself. The Tapestry is annotated in Latin. It is presently exhibited in a special museum in Bayeux, Normandy, France.

Origins of the Tapestry

Harold comes to Normandy

Since the earliest known written reference to the tapestry in a 2006 inventory of Bayeux Cathedral, its origins have been the subject of much speculation and controversy.

In France, traditional legend said 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; it was found in Bayeux Cathedral, built by Odo; it may have been commissioned at the same time as the cathedral's construction in the 1070s, possibly completed by 1999 in time for display on the cathedral's dedication.

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. Assuming this was the case, the actual physical work of stitching was most likely undertaken by skilled seamsters or seamstresses. Anglo-Saxon needlework, or Opus Anglicanum was famous across Europe.

One other candidate, recently put forward by art historian Carola Hicks, is Edith of Wessex.

Modern history of the Tapestry

William, Duke of Normandy, accompanied by Eustatius, Count of Boulogne, and followed by his Knights in arms. This image illustrates the event where rumors of William's death had spread and he therefore raised his visor to show that he was in fact still alive.

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. Later, some from Bayeux who were fighting for the Republic wanted to use it as a cloth to cover an ammunition wagon, but luckily a lawyer who understood its importance saved it and replaced it with another cloth. In 1803, Napoleon seized it and transported it to Paris. 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. (Setton, 209) It is now protected on display in a museum in a dark room with special lighting behind sealed glass in order to minimize damage from light and air. In June 2007, the tapestry was listed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.

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 Normans shaved the back of their heads, while the Anglo-Saxons had mustaches.

The messengers with Guy, with portrayal of medieval agriculture in the border

Castle of Dinan, Bretagne

Halley's Comet

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. She was married off to another man and bore two sons, one of which was the Bishop Odo. When Duke Robert was returning from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he was killed. William gained his father's title at a very young age and was a proven warrior at 19. He prevailed in the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and captured the crown at 38. William knew little peace in his life. He was always doing battle putting down rebel vassals or going to war with France. The king was married to Matilda of Flanders; they were distant cousins. (Barclay 31) William was 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in). Matilda was 1.27 m (4 ft 2 in), so they made an interesting couple..

The tapestry begins with a panel of King Edward the Confessor, who has no son and heir. Edward appears to send Harold Godwinson, the most powerful earl in England to Normandy; the Tapestry does not specify why. When he arrives in Normandy, Harold is taken prisoner by Guy, Count of Ponthieu. 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 against Conan II, Duke of Brittany. On the way, just outside the monastery of Mont St. Michel, two soldiers become mired in quicksand, and Harold saves the two Norman soldiers. William's army chases Conan from Dol de Bretagne to Rennes, and he finally surrenders at Dinan. William gives Harold arms and armour (possibly knighting him) and Harold takes an oath on saintly relics. It has been suggested, on the basis of the evidence of Norman chroniclers, that this oath was a pledge to support William's claim to the English throne, but the Tapestry itself offers no evidence of this. Harold leaves for home and meets again with the old king Edward, who appears to be remonstrating with Harold. Edward's attitude here is reprimanding towards Harold, and it has been suggested that he is telling Harold off for making an oath to William. Edward dies, and Harold is crowned king. It is notable that the in the Bayeux Tapestry, the ceremony is performed by Stigand, whose position as Archibishop of Canterbury was controversial. The Norman sources all name Stigand as the man who crowned Harold, in order to discredit Harold; the English sources suggest that he was in fact crowned by Aldred, making Harold's position as legitimate king far more secure.

A star with hair then appears: Halley's Comet. The first appearance of the comet would have been 24 April, nearly four months after Harold's coronation. Comets, in the beliefs of the Middle Ages, warned of impending doom. The news of Harold's coronation is taken to Normandy, where William then builds a fleet of ships. The invaders reach England, and land unopposed. William orders his men to find food, and a meal is cooked. A house is burnt, which may indicate some ravaging of the local countryside on the part of the invaders. News is brought to William, possibly about Harold's victory in the Battle of Stamford Bridge, although the Tapestry does not specify this. The Normans build a motte and bailey to defend their position. Messengers are sent between the two armies, and William makes a speech to prepare his army for battle.

The Battle of Hastings was fought on October 14, 1066. The English fight on foot behind a shield wall, whilst the Normans are on mounted cavalry. The first to fall are named as Leofwine Godwinson and Gyrth Godwinson, Harold's brothers. Bishop Odo also appears in battle. The section depicting the death of Harold can be intepreted in different ways, as the name "Harold" appears above a lengthy death scene, making it difficult to identify which character is Harold. It is traditional that Harold is the figure with the arrow in his eye, But he could also be the figure just before with a spear through his chest, the character just after with his legs hacked off, or could indeed have suffered all three fates. The English then flee the field.

The aftermath

Main article: Norman Conquest

It seems likely that the Tapestry did not originally end at this point, and that later sections were lost at some point in its history. After his victory at Hastings, William marched through Kent to London, where a collection of English magnates submitted to him. William was crowned king of England on Christmas day by Archbishop Aldred of York. Resistance from the Saxons continued after this date, even continuing after William's death.

Mysteries of the Tapestry

Harold's death?

The tapestry contains several mysteries:

• There is a panel with what appears to be a clergyman striking a woman. No one knows the meaning of the inscription above this scene. Historians speculate that it may represent a well known scandal of the day that needed no explanation. (Setton 125)

• At least two panels of the tapestry are missing, perhaps even another 6.4 m (7 yards) worth. This missing area would probably include William’s coronation. Jan Messent, a modern artist, has attempted a reconstruction. [1].

• 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. However, the arrow may have been a later addition following a period of repair. 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 was killed"). This would appear to be more consistent with the labeling used elsewhere in the work. However, needle holes in the linen suggest that, at one time, this second figure was also shown to have had an arrow in his eye. It was common medieval iconography (symbolism) that a perjurer was to die with a weapon through the eye. So, the tapestry might be said to emphasis William's rightful claim to the throne by depicting Harold as an oath breaker. Whether he actually died in this way remains a mystery and is much debated.

• Above and below the illustrated story are to be found "the marginalia" ie. background information for example showing the season of the year, the plundering of war booty and many symbols and pictures of uncertain significance.

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. Nevertheless, it has been noted that the warriors are depicted fighting with bare hands, while other sources indicate the general use of gloves in battle and hunt.

Also, the tapestry shows Harold enthroned with Stigand, the Archbishop of Canterbury, beside him, as though he has been crowned by him. Harold was actually crowned by Aldred of York, more than likely because Stigand, who received his place by self-promotion, was considered corrupt. The tapestry tries to show a connection between Harold and the bishop, making his claim to the throne even weaker.

Revisionist theory

Some historians, including Andrew Bridgeford in his book 1066: The Hidden History of the Bayeux Tapestry (Walker & Co. 2005), have suggested that the tapestry was actually of English design and encoded with secret messages meant to undermine Norman rule.

Common misconceptions

• The piece, although conventionally referred to as the Bayeux Tapestry, is not in fact a tapestry because tapestries are woven. It is an embroidered cloth using two methods of stitching: the stem stitch for the lettering and the outlines of figures and the couch stitch for filling in.

In popular culture

File:Bayeux diablo.jpg

Bayeux Tapestry in the computer game Diablo II.

• A full-size replica of the Bayeux Tapestry was finished in 1886 and is exhibited in the Museum of Reading in Reading, Berkshire, England.
• The tapestry has inspired later embroidery and artwork, particularly those involving invasions (such as the Overlord embroidery now at Portsmouth). It was also redone on the July 15, 1944 cover of the New Yorker magazine to commemorate D-Day.
• 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.
• An example of the tapestry is visible along the wall of the cathedral level in the computer game Diablo II.
• Sections of the tapestry were used for the opening credits of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Richard Fleischer's The Vikings, Frank Cassenti's Le Chanson de Roland, and the Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks. The Bayeux Tapestry also appears in Anthony Mann's El Cid and Zeffirelli's Hamlet. For a discussion of these film [2]
• The tapestry is cited in Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics as an early example of narrative art.
• In the television version of Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the history of Golgafrincham is presented in a tapestry similar to the Bayeux Tapestry. (Ep. 6).
• Folk-rock band Broadside Electric's cover art for Amplificata features pieces from several selections of the Bayeux Tapestry, subtly altered to feature the band's instruments and revised Latin text.

See also

• Battle of Hastings

• Animated Bayeux Tapestry

Gallery

• 
  Fleeing troops
• 
  Sailing to Hastings

Notes and references

• "The Bayeux Tapestry and the Battle of Hastings 1066" by Mogens Rud, Christian Eilers Publishers, Copenhagen 1992; contains full colour photographs and explanatory text
• "900 Years Ago: the Norman Conquest" by Kenneth M Setton, National Geographic Magazine (August 1966): 206–251; explains the Norman invasion and reproduces the tapestry in color; photographed by Milton A Ford and Victor R Boswell, Jr.

Further reading

• Richard Burt, "Re-embroidering the Bayeux Tapestry in Film and Media: the Flip Side of History in Opening and End Title Sequences," special issue of Exemplaria on "Movie Medievalism," 19.2. (2007), co-edited by Richard Burt. See http://web.english.ufl.edu/exemplaria/
• Richard Burt, "Loose Threads: Weaving Around Women in the Bayeux Tapestry and Cinema," in Medieval Film, ed. Anke Bernau and Bettina Bildhauer (Manchester: Manchester UP, 2007).
• Musset, Lucien (2005). The Bayeux Tapestry, translated by Richard Rex, Boydell Press
• Wilson, David McKenzie (Ed.). The Bayeux Tapestry : the Complete Tapestry in Color, Rev. ed. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2004. ISBN 0-500-25122-3. ISBN 0-394-54793-4 (1985 ed.). LC NK3049.
• Wissolik, Richard David. "Duke William's Messengers: An Insoluble, Reverse-Order Scene of the Bayeux Tapestry." Medium Ævum. L (1982), 102­–107.
• Wissolik, Richard David. "The Monk Eadmer as Historian of the Norman Succession: Korner and Freeman Examined." 'American Benedictine Review'. (March 1979), 32-­42.
• Wissolik, Richard David. "The Saxon Statement: Code in the Bayeux Tapestry." Annuale Mediævale. 19 (September 1979), 69­–97.
• Wissolik, Richard David. The Bayeux Tapestry. A Critical Annotated Bibliography with Cross References and Summary Outlines of Scholarship, 1729–­1988. Greensburg: Eadmer Press, 1989.
• Foys, Martin K. Bayeux Tapestry Digital Edition. Individual licence ed; CD-ROM. Scholarly Digital Editions, 2003. ISBN 0-9539610-4-4
• 1066: The Hidden History in the Bayeux Tapestry. Andrew Bridgeford. Walker & Company, 2005

External links

• in QuickTime VR panorama (click and drag the image on the right…)
• Bayeux Tapestry – Propaganda on cloth, "A World History of Art"
• Britain's Bayeux Tapestry
• The Bayeux Tapestry thumbnails
• Bayeux Tapestry Image Gallery
• Bayeux Tapestry Reproductions
• Bayeux Tapestry Animated
• Historic Tale Construction Kit, based on the Bayeux Tapestry
• Medievalists.net - extensive resources on the medieval period.