The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most iconic and remarkable artifacts from the medieval world. Far more than just a piece of fabric, it is a vivid narrative tapestry nearly 70 meters (230 feet) long, telling the dramatic story of the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Created in the 11th century, the tapestry blends art, history, and propaganda, offering a unique glimpse into the politics, warfare, and culture of the time. Despite being over 950 years old, it remains a vital source for historians and a masterpiece of medieval craftsmanship.
What is the Bayeux Tapestry?
The Bayeux Tapestry is not actually a tapestry in the technical sense; it is an embroidered cloth, not woven, made of linen and embroidered with woolen yarn in various shades. The main section is approximately 50 centimeters (20 inches) high and nearly 70 meters (230 feet) long. The embroidery is done in a style known as Anglo-Saxon embroidery, suggesting that although it commemorates a Norman victory, it was likely made by English artisans.
The tapestry is composed of scenes separated by decorative borders, and it includes over 600 human figures, 200 horses, 50 dogs, and numerous buildings, ships, and mythical creatures. The figures are animated and expressive, giving a dramatic and almost cinematic quality to the unfolding events.
Who Made the Bayeux Tapestry and Why?
The exact origins of the Bayeux Tapestry are still debated, but the most widely accepted theory is that it was commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, the half-brother of William the Conqueror. Odo played a key role in the Norman invasion and was made Earl of Kent after the conquest.
The tapestry was likely created in England, possibly in Canterbury, sometime in the 1070s—less than a decade after the Battle of Hastings. Though it celebrates a Norman triumph, it was likely embroidered by English women, possibly in a monastic workshop, using techniques common in Anglo-Saxon England.
Its primary purpose was to legitimize William’s claim to the English throne by portraying the Norman version of events and justifying the invasion. It was also a powerful piece of propaganda, emphasizing divine approval of William’s actions and the betrayal of Harold Godwinson, the Anglo-Saxon king. shutdown123