The Bayeux Tapestry: Recreating the Norman Conquest
By: David Burr
One of the most intriguing and impressive tapestry works to emerge from the Middle Ages is that of the colossal Bayeux Tapestry. Depicting the events leading up to the infamous Battle of Hastings in which William the Conqueror invaded England on Oct. 14, 1066, the tapestry is more than 70 meters long and currently resides in a museum specifically designed for the piece in Normandy, France.
Interestingly enough, the tapestry is not actually a tapestry at all, but an embroidered linen that was stitched, not woven, from eight colors of woolen thread. The fact that the piece has survived for more than 900 years is not only a testament to its remarkable appeal, but an acknowledgment of its invaluable status as the only significant remaining historical relic representing the early Norman periods in England.
Origins and Aesthetics of the Bayeux Tapestry
Although nothing is known for certain about the exact origins of the tapestry, historians believe it was commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux (the half brother of William the Conqueror) around the time of 1070. The piece was believed to have been put on display in the Church of Notre Dame in Bayeux, where it remained for another 700 years. The earliest known reference to this incredibly complex work of art was recorded in a Cathedral inventory taken in 1476.
The embroidery was originally constructed from eight different sections of linen, which were then joined together to create its full length. The piece essentially looks like a giant comic strip composed of approximately 32 scenes that experts have divided into roughly 13 sections. These sections tell the story of the events leading up to the William’s defeat of England’s King Harold, with the final scenes depicting the Battle of Hastings itself. There is also evidence that the tapestry was even longer at one point, possibly by as many as seven or eight meters.
Almost Lost to History
During the French Revolution in the late 1700s the people of Bayeux used cloth to cover their ammunition wagons. When a shortage of cloth occurred the Bayeux Tapestry was cut up and used for this purpose until one man, Lambert Leonard Leforestier, noticed what was happening to the relic and put a stop to it by replacing the tapestry with other cloth. The citizenry of Bayeux eventually formed a fine arts council to protect its historical treasures.
Apparently Napoleon had the piece transported to Paris at one point as he considered the tapestry an inspiration for an attack he had planned on England. But the attack never happened, and the piece was eventually returned to the people of Bayeux.
The piece has been removed from public display at various points in history and hidden in a number of locations within France for safekeeping, most notably during the Franco-Prussian War and the First and Second World Wars. It has also undergone several restorative processes throughout the years and it remains on display at Bayeux to this day.
Depictions of the Tale
When viewing the Bayeux Tapestry, one gets the sense that much more is behind the meaning of the stylized images than initially meets the eye. On the surface, we see a tale of courage, alliances, passion, power, and conquest. But the underlying ideas and subtle nuances of each scene may in part explain why the appeal of the tapestry has endured throughout the ages and lent itself well to a wide-ranging host of philosophical interpretations.
Reproductions of the tapestry have frequently focused on specific highlights of the Norman Conquest. These snapshots not only serve to personify the work as a whole but each element manages to tell a story in itself. As such, each of these individual portrayals, while only denoting a small section of the massive embroidery, are capable of standing alone as a compelling and potent artistic work in their own right.
For example, a scene entitled William Sets Sail delivers an absorbing portrait on the tactical and strategic approaches to war, while at the same time providing a glimpse into the psychological aspects by way of facial expressions and individual poses. The scene is a reenactment of William beginning the journey to wage battle with King Harold in an effort to capture the English throne.
In another scene, entitled William Attacks, we witness the chaos and turmoil associated with the conflict. The inherent pride and nationalism of men aggressively fighting for a cause -- combined with the consequent slaughter and bloodshed – ultimately provide for a riveting reflection of our own humanity.
A Timeless Work of Art
The Bayeux Tapestry has managed to captivate audiences over the course of hundreds of years. The intricate depictions of the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings, while representing a mere sliver of human history, have taken on a significance far greater than the events in the story itself for many artistic scholars. The embroidery allows us to understand the complexities of human nature, war, absolution and honor, while at the same time perhaps posing even more questions that the work itself is capable of answering.
Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.
This is Free-Reprint article from The Tapestry House. Our terms are:
Please leave copyright statement intact
Please publish author info including links
Please do not use the article in unsolicited emails
Please keep all links intact and "as is" - no embedded keyword advertising
You can contact us at articles@thetapestryhouse.com
One of the most intriguing and impressive tapestry works to emerge from the Middle Ages is that of the colossal Bayeux Tapestry. Depicting the events leading up to the infamous Battle of Hastings in which William the Conqueror invaded England on Oct. 14, 1066, the tapestry is more than 70 meters long and currently resides in a museum specifically designed for the piece in Normandy, France.
Interestingly enough, the tapestry is not actually a tapestry at all, but an embroidered linen that was stitched, not woven, from eight colors of woolen thread. The fact that the piece has survived for more than 900 years is not only a testament to its remarkable appeal, but an acknowledgment of its invaluable status as the only significant remaining historical relic representing the early Norman periods in England.
Origins and Aesthetics of the Bayeux Tapestry
Although nothing is known for certain about the exact origins of the tapestry, historians believe it was commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux (the half brother of William the Conqueror) around the time of 1070. The piece was believed to have been put on display in the Church of Notre Dame in Bayeux, where it remained for another 700 years. The earliest known reference to this incredibly complex work of art was recorded in a Cathedral inventory taken in 1476.
The embroidery was originally constructed from eight different sections of linen, which were then joined together to create its full length. The piece essentially looks like a giant comic strip composed of approximately 32 scenes that experts have divided into roughly 13 sections. These sections tell the story of the events leading up to the William’s defeat of England’s King Harold, with the final scenes depicting the Battle of Hastings itself. There is also evidence that the tapestry was even longer at one point, possibly by as many as seven or eight meters.
Almost Lost to History
During the French Revolution in the late 1700s the people of Bayeux used cloth to cover their ammunition wagons. When a shortage of cloth occurred the Bayeux Tapestry was cut up and used for this purpose until one man, Lambert Leonard Leforestier, noticed what was happening to the relic and put a stop to it by replacing the tapestry with other cloth. The citizenry of Bayeux eventually formed a fine arts council to protect its historical treasures.
Apparently Napoleon had the piece transported to Paris at one point as he considered the tapestry an inspiration for an attack he had planned on England. But the attack never happened, and the piece was eventually returned to the people of Bayeux.
The piece has been removed from public display at various points in history and hidden in a number of locations within France for safekeeping, most notably during the Franco-Prussian War and the First and Second World Wars. It has also undergone several restorative processes throughout the years and it remains on display at Bayeux to this day.
Depictions of the Tale
When viewing the Bayeux Tapestry, one gets the sense that much more is behind the meaning of the stylized images than initially meets the eye. On the surface, we see a tale of courage, alliances, passion, power, and conquest. But the underlying ideas and subtle nuances of each scene may in part explain why the appeal of the tapestry has endured throughout the ages and lent itself well to a wide-ranging host of philosophical interpretations.
Reproductions of the tapestry have frequently focused on specific highlights of the Norman Conquest. These snapshots not only serve to personify the work as a whole but each element manages to tell a story in itself. As such, each of these individual portrayals, while only denoting a small section of the massive embroidery, are capable of standing alone as a compelling and potent artistic work in their own right.
For example, a scene entitled William Sets Sail delivers an absorbing portrait on the tactical and strategic approaches to war, while at the same time providing a glimpse into the psychological aspects by way of facial expressions and individual poses. The scene is a reenactment of William beginning the journey to wage battle with King Harold in an effort to capture the English throne.
In another scene, entitled William Attacks, we witness the chaos and turmoil associated with the conflict. The inherent pride and nationalism of men aggressively fighting for a cause -- combined with the consequent slaughter and bloodshed – ultimately provide for a riveting reflection of our own humanity.
A Timeless Work of Art
The Bayeux Tapestry has managed to captivate audiences over the course of hundreds of years. The intricate depictions of the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings, while representing a mere sliver of human history, have taken on a significance far greater than the events in the story itself for many artistic scholars. The embroidery allows us to understand the complexities of human nature, war, absolution and honor, while at the same time perhaps posing even more questions that the work itself is capable of answering.
Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.
This is Free-Reprint article from The Tapestry House. Our terms are:
Please leave copyright statement intact
Please publish author info including links
Please do not use the article in unsolicited emails
Please keep all links intact and "as is" - no embedded keyword advertising
You can contact us at articles@thetapestryhouse.com
David Burr writes on a number of subjects for the Tapestry House including the Bayeux Tapestry. www.thetapestryhouse.com/products/list/medieval-bayeux.html
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