BAYEUX TAPESTRIES

We stopped in Bayeux to see the famous tapestry there.  It is actually not a tapestry at all, but a 75 yard long piece of lined embroidered with the story of William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings.

This artifact, dated about 1066, is remarkably well preserved.  I was fascinated with the whole thing; Don was less enthralled.  But he was patient while I studied the illustrated description of each scene, then studied the replicas of medieval life and communities, then viewed the film describing the activities depicted on the embroidery, and finally studied the actual embroidery.

William (the Bastard) was the son of King Robert the Magnificent and his concubine, Herleva.  In spite of being illegitimate, King Robert made him Duke of Normandy, and he was trained in the things royal sons were trained in.  He married very well, to Mathilda, daughter of the Duke of Flanders and continually defended his territory and rights. 

The story the tapestry tells is about how William, the Duke of Normandy, was to be named successor to King Edward of England.  Edward’s nephew, Harold, the rightful heir, was sent to France to tell William the news.  Harold was shipwrecked and lost everything and William took him into his home and took care of him.  Harold was thankful and William had him swear an oath of fealty on the most important relics around.  Then Harold went back to England and betrayed William.  When King Edward died Harold had himself crowned king. 

When William found out about this he got his men together and they attacked Harold and his troops.  They were rather tired, since they had been up north fighting Harold’s brother.  Eventually William’s guys prevailed and William the Conqueror was crowned.

The illustrations, the embroidery work and the vibrant colors of the tapestry are remarkable.  The pictures are about 15 inches high and bordered by even more interesting figures.  The story is extremely well told and I enjoyed the whole experience.  Thinking of a group of nuns or whomever spending hours designing this work and the colorful and accurate way the people and activities are depicted just blew me away.   The work was commissioned by William’s brother, Odo, who was the bishop of the church.  I can only guess that the tapestry is in such good shape because it has been kept out of the light and carefully stored in a dry place by cautious and humble monks or nuns for all of these centuries.