La Tapisserie de Bayeux

The Bayeux Tapestry is a 70-meter long embroidered masterpiece dating from the 11th century. This incredible embroidery depicts the events leading up to and the actual Battle of Hastings in 1066. Basically Edward, King of England was dying and was supposed to hand his duchy in France (Normandy) over to his nephew, William (Guillaume en français) but for one reason or another Harold got the crown (whether Harold or Edward betrayed William is still disputed) and it really irked William. Plus the French didn't want their turf governed by Brits. (Ahh, the long struggle begins...) William (at the time known as Guillaume le bâtard, bastard child of somebody) decided to build a fleet of ships and invade England to get his territory back. Victory at Hastings earned Guillaume the title of "William the Conquerer," I'm sure a welcome change of title and status.







The detail and care of the embroidered story is unlike anything I have ever seen. What's even cooler in my mind is that the tapestry was commissioned by William's uncle (a bishop named Odo) so that the victory would be told and not lost in history. The Bayeux Tapestry is thus a giant picture book telling a story to the illiterate people of the 11th century. Pretty cool, huh?

Woven into the tapestry are 623 humans (only 3 of which are female, I might add...), 55 dogs, 202 horses, 41 ships, 49 trees and over 500 other animals/mythical creatures (info from museum and hastings1066 website). There is also embroidered narration in Latin, but most people at the time would not have been able to read it.

I did the visit with Eloïse back in February and we went around twice. It was incredible-- if you ever get the chance to see this, I highly recommend it!

You can also take the tour online: http://hastings1066.com/baythumb.shtml

The last photo is of the cathedral in Bayeux.