Why everything you know about the Bayeux Tapestry is WRONG!

Summary

The famous Bayeux Tapestry, often thought to depict the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, is full of surprises. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a tapestry, but an embroidered work likely created in Kent, not France. The tapestry shows Harold Godwinson in a positive light, highlighting his heroic moments, and the famous scene of his death is even more complex than expected, with later additions and potential inaccuracies. The video explores these misconceptions, uncovering fascinating details about the tapestry’s creation, missing sections, and even quirky elements like its depiction of comets and penises, making it a treasure trove of historical intrigue.

Takeaways

• 😀 The famous Bayeux Tapestry is actually an embroidery, not a tapestry, and was made in England, not France.
• 😀 Despite its name, the 'Bayeux Tapestry' should more accurately be called the 'Kent Embroidery'.
• 😀 The Bayeux Tapestry is over 1,000 years old, and nearly 70 meters long, almost one and a half times the length of a football pitch.
• 😀 Contrary to popular belief, the tapestry does not depict Harold in a completely negative light; he is shown as a powerful figure.
• 😀 The Bayeux Tapestry was likely commissioned by Odo, William the Conqueror’s half-brother, not William himself.
• 😀 The most famous scene showing Harold being struck in the eye with an arrow may not be historically accurate, and the arrow was likely added centuries after the tapestry was made.
• 😀 Some sections of the Bayeux Tapestry are missing, and it's believed the original would have continued to show William's coronation in London.
• 😀 The tapestry shows stylistic differences between the Normans and Anglo-Saxons, notably the absence of mustaches on the Normans.
• 😀 The Bayeux Tapestry includes interesting details, such as the depiction of Halley's Comet and a surprising number of penises (93 total).
• 😀 A life-size replica of the Bayeux Tapestry was created by nuns in Reading, where they removed all depictions of penises for modesty.

Q & A

What is the real name of the Bayeux Tapestry?

The real name of the Bayeux Tapestry should probably be the Kent Embroidery, as it was most likely made in Kent, England, and it's actually an embroidery, not a tapestry.

Why is the Bayeux Tapestry not actually a tapestry?

The Bayeux Tapestry is not a tapestry because it was stitched onto linen, whereas true tapestries are woven. The term 'tapestry' is a misnomer.

Where was the Bayeux Tapestry made?

Despite its name, the Bayeux Tapestry was most likely made in England, probably in Kent, and not in the French town of Bayeux as commonly thought.

Who commissioned the Bayeux Tapestry?

The Bayeux Tapestry was most likely commissioned by Odo, the half-brother of William the Conqueror, rather than William himself, as Odo is depicted frequently throughout the tapestry.

How long is the Bayeux Tapestry?

The Bayeux Tapestry is approximately 70 meters (230 feet) long, which is about one and a half times the length of a soccer field like Wembley.

What is surprising about the portrayal of Harold Godwinson in the Bayeux Tapestry?

Contrary to popular belief, Harold Godwinson is portrayed in a heroic light in the Bayeux Tapestry. There are scenes where he fights bravely alongside William, even saving William's soldiers from quicksand.

What famous scene is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry?

The most famous scene in the Bayeux Tapestry shows Harold Godwinson being struck in the eye by an arrow, though this scene has been questioned as the arrow was added much later, and the original scene might not have depicted Harold at all.

What evidence suggests that the arrow scene was added later?

The arrow in Harold's eye was shown to have been added hundreds of years after the tapestry was made, based on the stitching analysis, suggesting that the scene wasn't originally part of the tapestry.

How does the Bayeux Tapestry depict the Normans and Anglo-Saxons differently?

The Normans in the Bayeux Tapestry are shown clean-shaven with no mustaches, while the Anglo-Saxons are depicted with mustaches, highlighting the cultural differences between the two groups.

What are some unique and humorous details found in the Bayeux Tapestry?

The Bayeux Tapestry contains various quirky details, such as a man being annoyed at another blowing a horn too loudly and the way the hair of riders blows in the wind. There are also many humorous and odd elements, like 93 depictions of penises (88 on horses and 5 human).