In some ways, the tapestry appears to agree with the Norman narrative of events, as described in the work of writers such as William of Jumieges and William of Poitiers. The Latin inscriptions that run above the pictorial narrative are terse and limited in number.
This ambiguity means we do not know, for instance, what Edward the Confessor and Harold are discussing in the first scene of the story. That is a problem that persists throughout the tapestry, where we are constantly invited to infer what is happening from the pictures, rather than being told what is happening with words.
This is a difficult question to answer, if we are focusing on the immediate post-Conquest period, because we have no evidence whatsoever to call upon. Assuming that the patron of the tapestry was, as is widely accepted today, Bishop Odo of Bayeux, then it may have been used to decorate the cathedral that he had constructed in Bayeux during his lifetime.
It may even have been designed as an ornament for the consecration of that building in , though some historians dispute that. Presumably whoever did have the tapestry made would have wanted others to come view it and share in the story it tells, as well as be impressed by the magnificence of both the patron for being the benefactor of such a great work , and of Duke William himself for orchestrating his victory.
If it was displayed in a cathedral, illumination would have been dim to say the least. The tapestry could perhaps instead have been displayed in a secular building, or it could have been displayed temporarily and then stored away, maybe being brought out for particular gatherings, when there was someone on hand to tell the story in person as well.
It was traditionally brought out for display in the cathedral at a certain point in the year, and then stored away. As we move forward into more recent times, the tapestry has continued to have a propaganda purpose. Napoleon considered it important when he was readying his plans to invade Britain at the start of the 19th century and had it brought to Paris for display. In the Second World War it was again deemed a useful tool by the Nazis , where it was studied as part of a research project to demonstrate the Germanic origins of European culture and moved to Paris for safe-keeping.
The Bayeux Museum, where the Bayeux Tapestry is currently housed, has digitised the full 70 metres of this Norman chronicle. Visit their website to examine it in full. More precisely it is The panels that were produced separately and then eventually sewn together to form one long whole.
Plus, some of the vignettes in the tapestry appear to be based on designs that we know were found in manuscripts held in the library of a monastery in Canterbury, so there are those who argue that it was actually made not just in England, but more precisely in Canterbury.
The remaining 88 are attached to horses. Professor George Garnett takes a look at the priapic predilections of the Tapestry designers , and what the proliferation of genitalia can tell us about the story of the Norman Conquest. Sign in. The first two strips were clearly made separately; the margins are spaced differently and do not match. There are also differences in the way Normans and Saxons are portrayed between panels. Harold's Death? One of the most famous scenes in the Bayeux Tapestry purports to show the death of Harold at the Battle of Hastings.
One of the Saxons appears to receive an arrow in or about the right eye. For centuries this was interpreted as meaning that Harold died from an arrow in the eye. Many historians now believe that the man depicted is one of Harold's knights, not Harold himself. Contemporary Norman accounts say only that Harold fell in battle, so we do not actually know if the "arrow in the eye" story is true.
The tapestry was the victim of a well-meaning restoration attempt in the last century, which resulted in modern stitching filling in the gaps in the fabric, with dubious accuracy. For all its faults, both material and in historical "truthfulness", the Bayeux Tapestry remains one of the true treasures of the Norman period in English history.
English Heritage membership. Free entry to English Heritage properties throughout England, plus discounted admission to Historic Scotland and Cadw properties in Scotland and Wales. Membership details. About English Heritage. Sir Francis Drake famously completed his game of what pastime before sailing out to meet the Spanish Armada? Toggle navigation. Best of Britain. Death of King Harold - or is it? History of Wales. The Bayeux Tapestry contains:. The original Bayeux Tapestry has people, horses and mules, 35 dogs, other birds and animals, 33 buildings, 37 ships and 37 trees or groups and trees, and 57 Latin inscriptions.
What are on the borders of the Tapestry? The borders of the tapestry are filled with mythological figures, lions, dragons, and scenes from fables. Who is the main character on the Bayeux Tapestry? The main character of the tapestry is William the Conqueror.
What can we learn from looking at the Bayeux Tapestry? It tells the story of the Norman invasion of England in through panels which depict scenes of battle and of daily life. Therefore, from looking at the pictures on the tapestry, we can out much about life during the time of the invasion. The shaved heads behind the ears is typically Norman. The Englishmen are universally long-haired, and most sport mustaches; some later depicted with beards as well.
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