Interpreting the Visual Evidence
The Graphic History of the Bayeux Tapestry
One of the most famous
historical documents
of all time is
not a document at all:
it is an embroidered
strip of linen 231 feet long (originally
much longer) and 20 inches wide. It is
also not an actual tapestry, as its name
misleadingly implies, but an elaborate
exercise in needlepoint. It tells the story
of the Norman Conquest of England and
the events leading up to it. The circumstances
of its making remain mysterious,
but it was certainly commissioned
by someone close to William the Conqueror
(1027–1087), the Norman duke
who claimed the throne of England in
1066. Indeed, its purpose was to demonstrate
the truth of William's claim, and
to justify his invasion of England when
Harold Godwinson (c. 1022–1066), was
crowned king of England in his place
(image B). One likely patron is Queen
Edith of England, the widow of the late
King Edward (r. 1042–66) and sister of
Harold, who became a friend and advisor
to William. Edith was noted for her
skill in embroidery as well as for her political
acumen, and she would have been
able to oversee the making of this visual
history by the women of her household.
Two of its evocative scenes, with translations
of accompanying Latin texts, are
reproduced here.
Images
Questions for Analysis
1. fiogf49gjkf0d fiogf49gjkf0d Like a graphic novel or a comic strip,
the Bayeux Tapestry tells its story
through images; words (in very simple
Latin) play a minor role. What do the
Tapestry’s artists choose to express
exclusively through visualization? When
do they choose to state something
verbally? What might be the motivation
behind these choices? What is left
out of the story, or left ambiguous?
What might be the reason(s) for this? |
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2. fiogf49gjkf0d fiogf49gjkf0d In addition to being a source for political
and military historians, the Bayeux
Tapestry provides us with fascinating
glim pses into the daily life and material
culture of the Middle Ages. What, for
example, can you conclude about the
necessary preparations for a voyage by
sea? about the history of clothing, or
weaponry, or animals? |
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3. fiogf49gjkf0d fiogf49gjkf0d If Queen Edith is responsible for making
the Tapestry, it would constitute
one of the few surviving historical accounts
by a woman prior to the twentieth
century. Would the fact of the
creator’s gender change your perception
of this artifact, or of these particular
scenes? Why or why not? |
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