14 Features
Bayeux-mania
Photo La Fabrique de patrimoines en Normandie Antoine Cazin
The British Museum’ s exhibition of the 70-metre-long Bayeux Tapestry has sparked‘ Bayeux-mania’ in the capital and across the UK. The first 100,000 tickets for the London show sold out in 24 hours, and the next tranche( for 1 January to 31 March) was just as popular. So, what is all the fuss about? Michael Lewis explains
Changed forever
1066 is the most important date in English history. In this year, Duke William of Normandy defeated and killed King Harold‘ Godwinson’ at the Battle of Hastings( on 14 October), beginning the Norman Conquest that changed England forever: the country was divided into the ceremonial counties( such as Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Sussex) we still use today; French words began to populate the English language, and castles were built far and wide. England was never again to be conquered.
Dynamic
The 70-metre-long Bayeux Tapestry is a unique survivor of medieval art that retells the events leading to the Norman Conquest in dynamic visual imagery and terse Latin text. As such, it is probably the most important document of English history, though it usually resides in Bayeux, Normandy, France.
It is made of linen embroidered with naturally dyed wool. Its story appears mostly in a central frieze, inhabited by 627 characters, who act within buildings in England and France, on land and at sea, and undertake an array of tasks – cooking food and feasting, building ships and sailing them, preparing for battle
and fighting – that provide insights into the real world of the eleventh century.
The central narrative is framed by borders filled with birds, beasts and plants, along with fables and other stories, all divided by diagonals. While the Tapestry is often likened to a comic strip or graphic novel, changes in narrative pace, twists and turns, and flashbacks make it more like a modern-day film.
“ While the Tapestry is often likened to a comic strip or graphic novel, changes in narrative pace, twists and turns, and flashbacks make it more like a modern-day film.
Adventures
The Tapestry’ s story follows the adventures of Harold Godwinson, England’ s principal nobleman, overseas, where he is captured in northern France and handed over to William of Normandy. He then joins the Norman Duke in a war against neighbouring Britanny, before making a promise on holy relics that he will help William become England’ s king upon the death of Edward the Confessor. However, when Edward dies, Harold seizes the crown. Furious, William invades England, leading to Harold’ s death at the Battle of Hastings.
It is not known for certain who made the Tapestry, but most scholars think it was commissioned by William’ s half-brother, Odo of Bayeux, to glorify his role in the Norman Conquest: he plays an important part in the story, including the Battle of Hastings, rallying the troops when a rumour circulates that William has been killed. After the Conquest, Odo was made Earl of Kent, amassing wealth and landholdings second only to his brother.
Ambiguous and impartial
The Tapestry’ s imagery is almost certainly influenced by English manuscript drawings, particularly those from Canterbury scriptoria. On this basis, it is thought the Tapestry was worked by female embroiderers in or around Canterbury. All this evidence – Odo’ s patronage and the manuscript links – suggests a production date in the 1070s, with some scholars suggesting the Tapestry was made for the consecration of Bayeux Cathedral in 1077. Even if this was the case, the Tapestry could have been toured from place to place in Kent, maybe to highlight Odo’ s role in the Conquest, but also, perhaps, as a tool to help subdue the English – recounting the story that even if they had followed Harold, William was now their king. In this sense, it is interesting that the Tapestry’ s tale is somewhat ambiguous and impartial, ripe for both sides to read what they will into it.
Whatever plans Odo may have had for the embroidery, he could never imagine this show in London. Now is the chance for British Museum visitors to be part of history.
Michael Lewis FSA MCIfA is curator of the Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition, Britain Europe & Prehistory
www. britishmuseum. org