Genealogy Pointers

Have you ever hear of the Bayeux Tapestry? If you are a professional historian, genealogist or just a lover of history, you have probably heard about the beautiful hand embroidered tapestry. The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the greatest historical records of the Norman period in English history.

The Bayeux Tapestry is medieval embroidery commemorating the Norman conquest of England, in which William of Normandy defeated Harold II of England at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Shortly after the victory, many hands stitched the colorful history that was William the Conqueror’s triumph.

The monumental masterpiece is a band of linen approximately 70m (230 ft) long and 50cm (20in) wide, on which there are more than 70 scenes commemorating the Norman Conquest, embroidered in worsteds of eight colors. For you that don’t know about embroidery, worsted is wool yarn that is made of long fibers that has been combed to remove the short fiber that makes them lie parallel. The exact length of the tapestry is not known because the last strip is tattered, although it has been suggested that the tapestry was originally made to fit around the nave of Bayeux Cathedral

The tapestry is estimated to have been completed in 1077, possible for the consecration of the new cathedral at Bayeux, a small town on the coast of Normandy.

In a time when a majority of the population was illiterate, the embroidery told a story in pictures. There are thirty-one scenes total. The opening scene sets the stage for Harold’s visit to Bosham, en route to Normandy (1064), to the scene of William deciding to attack England, to the loading of all the ships, this included hundreds of horses, to the arrival at Pevensey, the battle at Hastings, to the death of Harold, and closes with Harold’s forces retreating from Hastings (1066).

The historical chronicle is told from the Norman perspective and the work is considered a Norman document.

A French fable gives credit for the embroidery to Matilda, wife of William the Conqueror, and in France it is referred to as the Tapisserie de la reine Mathilde or “Queen Matilda’s Tapestry.” In fact, most researchers believe that it was commissioned by William’s half brother Odo, bishop of Bayeux, and was embroidered in England and later moved to France. But there is no definite answer as to who actually embroidered the tapestry.

One of the most controversial scenes is the death of Harold. At the battle of Hastings Harold was reported to have been killed by an arrow in or about in the eye. Historians have studied this for centuries. Many believe that the man that is displayed with an arrow in his eye was one of Harold’s knights, not Harold himself. Others still believe that an arrow in the eye killed Harold. The true cause of death of Harold will never be known.

The Tapestry has twice been saved from destruction. In 1792, during the French Revolution, the people of Bayeux were desperate for cloth to cover their wagons. It was removed from the church where it was displayed and draped over a wagon caring ammunition to the northern front. Lambert Leforestier, a lawyer, saw this and quickly offered to replace it with a cloth better suited for the purpose.

Two years later, the tapestry was again placed in danger when it was about to be cut into sections to decorate a festival.

Since the Revolution, the embroidery has only been moved from Bayeux a few times: to be exhibited in Paris at Napoleon’s wish in 1803-1804, to be carefully stored in 1871 during the Franco-German War and from 1939 to 1945 during WWII.

The Bayeux Tapestry is considered a remarkable work of medieval art and a leading source for 11th century history, including details of everyday life not described by other documents. It shows scenes of Norman dress, castle building, hunting, Armour, building boats and other facts of daily life.

Today, the Bayeux Tapestry is displayed in Bayeux, at the Centre Guillaume le Conquerant. The Bayeux Tapestry has special meaning to thousand of people all over the world, including myself. It represents our ancestors that fought for the rightful King of England even to the start of Democracy.

Over the centuries restoration attempts have been made to save the Bayeux Tapestry even filling in the stitching that has deteriorated over the years with modern stitching, with skeptical accuracy.

I have a special attachment to the Bayeux Tapestry because my ancestor is displayed on horse back beside William the Conqueror that became one of his chief-in-arms. If it weren’t for William the Conqueror invading England, England and America would have been a different place today.