THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY
By Glynn Burrows

A tapestry is a piece of strong cloth with a pattern or picture created by sewing or weaving different coloured threads onto it.

Many such tapestries are to be found in every castle in the land, as they were used to hang on walls, as bed hangings, curtains and many other places to help to stop draughts. Castles and large Tudor houses were very draughty and these massive, thick pieces of art were great for keeping the heat in and the cold out.

One of the most famous pieces of needlework has to be the Bayeux Tapestry, but, contrary to popular belief, it could have actually been made in England in the 1070's while the details of the Battle of Hastings were still very fresh in the memories of those who had taken part. There are many experts who will debate where it was made and who made it, but they all agree that it dates from the 11th century and depicts events from 1064 and up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

It is thought that the Tapestry was made to hang on the wall of the newly built Cathedral in Bayeux, not to keep warm, but to tell the story.

For those of you who are experts in needle-craft, it is not actually a tapestry, it is an embroidery, using wool on linen. It is just over 224 feet (70 metres) long and one foot six inches high. The stitches used are called stem stitch and laid work and there are nine panels of different lengths.

There appears to be a missing panel at the end and its subject has been speculated to have been the Coronation of King William but nobody knows.

The story shown on the tapestry starts with King Edward The Confessor and, as he had no children, it follows the build-up to the battle and lots of gory details of the actual fighting.

It is quite amazing and full of lots of little stories going on in the background, so, if you do get to see it, do allow time to notice what's going on behind the main scenes. There are some very interesting pictures of farming, hunting, wrestling and many other pastimes and professions, the horses, armour and weaponry are all shown in great detail too. There are lots of boats and even some boat-building shown, with many different other forms of transport, including a large wheeled truck pulled by two men harnessed to it. Some very strange creatures together with lots of animals and birds appear on the main tapestry but lots are also shown along the bottom.

The part of the tapestry showing the actual battle is extremely interesting because it shows, in great detail, the armour, the arms and how they fought their battles. It also shows the casualties and the types of injuries inflicted during hand to hand combat.

The most famous part of the whole tapestry is where King Harold is pulling an arrow from his eye, but it is thought that he was actually killed shortly after that, by being hacked to death, as also shown on the tapestry.

The tapestry really is an amazing piece of medieval art and a fantastic source for historians. There are lots of websites with illustrations of the entire tapestry and I really do suggest that you have a good look at it. It is fascinating, even if you are not interested in history or needlework!

Although the tapestry is usually on display in Normandy, at the Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux, during renovation work on the building, it will be put on display at the British Museum, so, if you are visiting London between September 2026 and July 2027, do make time to take this unique opportunity to see it in England.

If you are coming to England and have a chance to see it while it is in London, I would suggest that you study a copy of the tapestry before you arrive, so you know what to look for when you see the real thing.

While we are looking at needlework, there is another fantastic collection held at Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk. The hangings were made by Mary Queen of Scots and Bess of Hardwick in the 1570–1585 period, while Mary was held in captivity, and they were made into wall hangings, a valance and bed curtains during the 17th century.

They show animals and birds and display some very fine stitching. It is obvious that the craftswomen had never actually seen some of the animals, but they are amazing none the less and remember that a lot of this type of work was carried out in very poor light and with very basic equipment. If you have ever had to do anything by candle-light, you will know how every movement causes a shadow!

Not only are these real works of art, they are ancient too, with the Bayeux Tapestry being over 900 years old!

JIGSAW PUZZLE: Enjoy the interview with Glynn Burrows while you piece together this online jigsaw puzzle of a panel of the Bayeux Tapestry, showing Edward the Confessor sending Harold to Normandy. Pictured above.
TIP: Use the full screen icon to make it easier. Use your mouse roller or arrow keys to rotate the puzzle pieces and click and drag to put the pieces in place. Use the Image Icon to see the picture and the Ghost Icon to set your workspace.

As the founder of Norfolk Tours, Glynn Burrows creates immersive, custom journeys through the heart of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. He also specializes in helping his clients trace their English ancestry and to visit historic familial sites. Learn more at https://www.englishconnection.uk/.

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