Bayeux Tapestry

A medieval embroidery depicting the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, which is considered a remarkable work of art and important as a source for 11th-century history. It consists of a roll of unbleached linen worked in colored worsted with illustrations and is about 70 m long and 50 cm deep. The work was probably commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, a half-brother of William the Conquerer, and took about two years to complete. It was likely finished no later than 1092. The tapestry depicts the events leading up to the invasion of England by William Duke of Normandy and the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, when the English King Harold was defeated and killed. Though not proven, the tapestry appears to have been designed and embroidered in England. The themes are enacted much like that of a feudal drama or chanson de geste. The technical detail and iconography of the Bayeux Tapestry are of great importance. For instance, the 33 buildings depicted offer a look at the contemporary churches, castles, towers and motte and bailey castles. The battle scenes give details on the infantry and cavalry formations, Norman armor and weapons, and the clothing and hairstyles of the time. The invasion fleet is 'Viking double enders' (clinker-built long boats, propelled by oars and a single mast). The tapestry was discovered in the nave of Bayeux Cathedral in France by French antiquarian and scholar Bernard de Montfaucon who published the earliest complete reproduction of it in 1730. It narrowly escaped destruction during the French Revolution was exhibited in Paris at Napoleon's wish in 1803-04 and thereafter kept in the Bayeux public library.

This famous tapestry, 70.34 metres long and 50 cm deep, is worked in coloured wools on a background of bleached linen. The work was probably commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux (1036-97) a halfbrother of William the Conquerer, and took about two years to complete. The tapestry depicts the events leading up to the invasion of England by William Duke of Normandy and the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, when the English King Harold was defeated and killed. The tapestry was almost certainly designed and embroidered in England; its purpose is not certain but it may well have been used to adorn the walls of a royal hall (the bawdy scenes often occurring along the border of the tapestry would argue against it being a hanging for the cathedral). The themes are enacted very much in the manner of a feudal drama or chanson de geste. The technical detail and iconography in the Bayeux Tapestry is of unparalleled importance to the social historian and medieval archaeologist; for instance, 33 buildings depicted in highly stylized form offer an impression of contemporary churches, castles, towers and hastily constructed motte and bailey castles. The battle scenes provide a detailed contemporary impression of infantry and cavalry formations, Norman armour and weapons as well as the clothing and hairstyles of both men and women. The invasion fleet is a readily identifiable collection of ‘Viking double enders’ (clinker-built long boats probably varying in length from about 25 to 30 metres, propelled by oars and a single mast). The Norman invasion of England was by the standards of the time a gigantic military operation, involving 7000 men including 2000 cavalry, and the tapestry captures some of the excitement and drama of the event.

A medieval embroidery depicting the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, which is considered a remarkable work of art and important as a source for 11th-century history. It consists of a roll of unbleached linen worked in colored worsted with illustrations and is about 70 m (75 yards) long and 50 cm (20 inches) deep. The work was probably commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, a half-brother of William the Conquerer, and took about 2 years to complete. It was likely finished no later than 1092. The tapestry depicts the events leading up to the invasion of England by William Duke of Normandy and the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066, when the English King Harold was defeated and killed. Though not proven, the tapestry appears to have been designed and embroidered in England. The themes are enacted much like that of a feudal drama or chanson de geste . The technical detail and iconography of the Bayeux Tapestry are of great importance. For instance, the 33 buildings depicted offer a look at the contemporary churches, castles, towers, and motte and bailey castles. The battle scenes give details on infantry and cavalry formations, Norman armor and weapons, and the clothing and hairstyles of the time. The invasion fleet consists of Viking double-enders (clinker-built long boats, propelled by oars and a single mast). The tapestry was discovered in the nave of Bayeux Cathedral in France by French antiquarian and scholar Bernard de Montfaucon, who published the earliest complete reproduction of it in 1730. It narrowly escaped destruction during the French Revolution, was exhibited in Paris at Napoleon’s wish in 1803-04, and thereafter has been kept in the Bayeux public library.