The Bayeux Tapestry

The Bayeux Tapestry is a picture story on linen of one of the most exciting events in history. It shows us 72 scenes of the conquest of England, in the year 1066. It was in this year that the Normans sailed against England from their home in northern France. The tapestry is a strip of cloth 20 inches wide, and it rolls out to a length of 23 1 feet, which is longer than a city block. The tapestry was forgotten for centuries. Later, it was found again among the treasures of the Cathedral at Bayeux, in France.

What is most remarkable about this beautiful work of art is that it was probably done by people who lived when these great events took place. As a result we are able to see how men of that time dressed, fought their battles, and died. Without the tapestry we would know much less about this important time. It shows us the weapons, the armor, and the kinds of ships that were used eight hundred years ago. The English wear mustaches, and the hair of the Normans is shaved all the way up the back of their heads.

On this long strip of linen we can count 1,512 figures of buildings, men, ships, trees, horses, dogs, and other animals. The figures are worked with a needle over the linen, like embroidery. (In a true tapestry, the pictures are part of the cloth.) Eight colors of smooth wool were used to bring the Conquest story to life. The artist used his color boldly. A man's hair is made green or blue, yellow or red. Some horses are partly blue, and partly red. The tapestry shows us the story of a great battle. Duke William and his Normans cross the English Channel in their great fleet of ships. Harold, the new English king, comes with his men to driveout the Normans. William, who wants to be king of England, has brought a large army of horsemen, and archers with their bows and arrows.

On the field of Hastings, the armies of Harold and William meet. The battle is fierce. The tapestry shows us William's men charging on their horses. Harold's army stands solidly with their large shields together. They swing mighty two-handed battle axes, but Duke William's horsemen break into the English line, and kill many of them. We see horses overturned, arrows sticking into shields, and dying men trampled underfoot. The English fight on until Harold is wounded in the eye with an arrow. While he tries to pull the arrow out, he is slain. The English have no leader and they flee. The battle is over, and here the tapestry ends. The tapestry is still kept in the town of Bayeux.