The+Bayeux+Tapestry

=The Bayeux Tapestry=

Rouen
Not a lot is known about the origins of The Bayeux Tapestry. It is an unbelievable piece of art that recounts the conquests of England by William the Conqueror from 1064 to the end of the Battle of Hastings where shortly after, William the Conqueror was crowned King of England. As a piece of art it is a very important part of 11th century history.

The first written record of the Bayeux Tapestry is in 1476 when it was recorded in the cathedral treasury at Bayeux as "a very long and narrow hanging on which are embroidered figures and inscriptions comprising a representation of the conquest of England". The tapestry is more embroidery than a true tapestry but the name was given and has endured through the ages. It is a band of linen that is 231 feet long and 20 inches wide. It was once even longer but part of the tapestry at the end, after the Battle of Hastings, has been cut off. The writing on the tapestry is in Latin. The main stitches used are stem stitching and laid-and-couched stitching. It is a light brown color that is stitched with worsted wool threads with 8 different colors. The five main colors are blue-green, terracotta, light-green, buff and grey-blue. There is some very dark blue, yellow and a dark green that were used. Skin color is just the linen cloth itself. The tapestry has more than 70 scenes representing the Norman conquest of William the Conqueror.

There is much speculation as to who, where, and why the tapestry was created. Some say it was commissioned by William the Conqueror’s half-brother Bishop Odo of Bayeux who is displayed in several scenes later in the tapestry. It is speculated that it could have been completed to celebrate Williams’ victory in England as well as the completion of Odos’ new cathedral. Some say it was created by William the Conquerors’ wife Matilda of Flanders. Others believe it was embroidered in Kent, England by a group of women from a famous tapestry school that used the same stitching and style found on the tapestry. Although most believe it was embroidered by women, there is a thought that is was designed and planned by a man as there is much detail in the military aspects of the tapestry that only a military man would know. Almost all accept that the tapestry was embroidered no later than 1092 and shows many items and customs know to come from the 11th century. One researcher counted all of the items in the tapestry and came up with these numbers: 632 human figures, 202 horse, 55 dogs, 505 other creatures (some mythical), 37 buildings, 41 ships, 49 trees and almost 2000 Latin letters.

Although the first time the tapestry is mentioned is in 1476, it was used once a year to decorate part of the cathedral in Bayeux, France. This is where it was discovered by Bernard de Montfauscon. He is the first to publish the first complete reproduction of it in 1730. The tapestry barely escaped the French Revolution. It was almost used as a wrap-around for a wagon to save its contents from the weather, but was saved at the last minute by a member of Bayeux’s city council, Lambert Leonard-Leforestier. It mostly remained in the custody of the Bayeux people except in 1871 during the Franco-German War and from September 1939 to March 1945 during World War II it was kept in an air raid shelter. It remained mostly undamaged even though the Allied beach landing took place just miles away. The tapestry is an unbelievable work of art that has massive historical significance as evidence of the Norman Conquest which seems to be straightforward. Its’ decorative borders show ideas of medieval fables. It shows a lot of detail about military equipment and tactics from the 11th century.

The tapestry recounts the basic story of the Norman conquest of England where King Edward I of England sends Earl Harold Godwinson to advise William he has been chosen as the successor to the English throne. Harold and William become friends during this visit. Harold returns to England but on the death of Edward in 1066, Harold seized the throne. William and his men fight Harold at the Battle of Hastings as the rightful heir to the throne. Harold and his army are defeated on 14th October 1066 and on Christmas Day 1066, William is crowned King of England. The story may have gone on but the end of the strip is missing. Along the top and bottom run decorative borders with figures of animals, scenes of fables, and other scenes. It has been restored more than once so may have lost some of its true original intent. Although tapestries were not rare in Williams’ time, the mere size of this tapestry points to its significant importance and impact on Medieval England. It seems to be told from the Norman’s point of view and has no English equivalent.

The original Bayeux Tapestry, preserved, is now on permanent public display in the city of Bayeux in Normandy, France. Though some historians believe that the tapestry is nothing more than Norman propaganda, excusing William’s right to invade and conquer England, some parts do not paint the Norman’s in a positive light. For example, there is one section that shows a mother and child being forced out of the burning home that was set on fire by Norman Soldiers. The tapestry is now a major tourist attraction.