What Is the Bayeux Tapestry?

The Bayeux Tapestry What is it? A band of white linen 70m long and 49. 5cm wide, embroidered with yarn, that depicts the events that led to William of Normandys conquest of Eng landed estate and his victory at the contend of battle of Hastings. What was the Battle of Hastings? A battle fought in s starth Sussex in October 1066 that determined the successful outcome of the invasion. Harold, then-new King of England, had legitimately succeeded King Edward the Confessor, plainly William felt the crown was really his because of promises made to him by both Edward and Harold. AuthenticityThis has never been questioned * Style is consistent with other 11th-century Anglo-Saxon needlework * First referred to in 1476 displayed once a year at Bayeux cathedral * Halleys comet appears astronomers begin confirmed this. This detail would not have been known by soul who was not closely connected to the event. Origin (Commission and Creation) Bishop Odo, by general consensus, for the intere st reasons 1. His inclusion in scenes in which he may be considered unnecessary 2. The tapestrys close association with Bayeux cathedral, his ecclesiastical seat. 3.Three minor Norman knights, recorded in the Doomsday book as holding Kentish land from him, are named General consensus is that it was manufactured in England. Evidence for this includes 1. Stylistic comparison with other Anglo-Saxon art 2. International reputation of English needlework at the time 3. Influence of English language written in Latin with English syntax English folk names appear, eg. ?lfgyva get on Potentially 946 years old. Was made between 1067 and 1082 if Bishop Odo was the commissioner he fell out of favour with William in 1083. Bias It is generally agreed that there is a strong Norman bias.The evidence for this includes 1. The small amount of attention paying to Edwards legitimising of Harold and death 2. That a common alternative title, William the Bastard, is never employ or referred to The att empted justification of the campaign William is portrayed as reclaiming what was rightfully his and Harold as an untrustworthy oath-breaker, in spite of the strong English trip for his kingship, the arguments for which include a. That King Edward wished him to be successor and legitimately passed it on b. That Harold was a wise, experienced governor c.That William had no claim by descent to the corporation It is difficult to determine exactly what has been changed or omitted as empirically-written information is non-existant and the mavin existing closely-dated English account, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, is brief. The only other source that mentions the chief(prenominal) contentious point, Harolds oath, is Norman (Deeds of Duke William, William Poitier). Value to Historians The tapestry provides tremendously classic and interesting information to historians about significant Norman characters, their motives and a colored narrative of an extremely important battle.It is, howev er, demonstrative of the problem of history-fixing by the fetching side in a controversy. William would have had any unfavourable accounts destroyed had the minority of literate English had the courage to create them. Hence, historians are compel to accept that their only major sources are biased to an unknown grad and compare them with the few facts from other primary sources, eg. dates from gravestones, to develop a close to empirical account. References Stenton, Frank. The Bayeux Tapestry. London Phaidon Press, 1965. Print. 25 Mar. 2013. Edward. Encyclop? dia Britannica.Encyclop? dia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclop? dia Britannica Inc. , 2013. Web. 25 Mar. 2013. . BBC. The Battle of Hastings 1066. Online video clip. Youtube. Youtube, 3 April 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2013. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The Bayeux Tapestry A Guide. n. p, n. d. Web, 25 Mar. 2013. William I. Encyclop? dia Britannica. Encyclop? dia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclop? dia Britanni ca Inc. , 2013. Web. 27 Mar. 2013. . Harold II. Encyclop? dia Britannica. Encyclop? dia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclop? dia Britannica Inc. , 2013. Web. 27 Mar. 2013. .