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| The tapestry is 70 metres long and 0.5 metres wide. It has 58 scenes, which portray in detail the progress of ] to the throne. It is sometimes said to have been made by William's queen, ], and her ladies. Indeed, in France it is known as "La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde" (Tapestry of Queen Mathilda). However, it was probably made in a workshop on the orders of ], who was William's half-brother. | The tapestry is 70 metres long and 0.5 metres wide. It has 58 scenes, which portray in detail the progress of ] to the throne. It is sometimes said to have been made by William's queen, ], and her ladies. Indeed, in France it is known as "La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde" (Tapestry of Queen Mathilda). However, it was probably made in a workshop on the orders of ], who was William's half-brother. | ||
| The misidentification of ] in the tapestry has led to the widespread but incorrect idea that Harold was killed by an arrow striking his eye. | The misidentification of ] in the tapestry has led to the widespread but incorrect idea that Harold was killed by an arrow striking his eye. The tapestry also contains a representation of a comet which is likely to be ]. | ||
| The embroiderers used wool which had been tinted with vegetable dyes. The colours of muted brick, rust, mustard yellow, olive-green, dark brown and off-white can be found in cloth traditionally woven in the region. | The embroiderers used wool which had been tinted with vegetable dyes. The colours of muted brick, rust, mustard yellow, olive-green, dark brown and off-white can be found in cloth traditionally woven in the region. | ||
Revision as of 06:24, 23 February 2003
The Bayeux tapestry (Tapisserie de Bayeux) is not actually a tapestry (that is, a weaving), but is embroidery. It is currently to be found in a special museum in the town of Bayeux in Normandy. It was made in England, probably in Kent, after the Norman conquest of 1066, and commemorates the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings.
The tapestry is 70 metres long and 0.5 metres wide. It has 58 scenes, which portray in detail the progress of William I of England to the throne. It is sometimes said to have been made by William's queen, Matilda of Flanders, and her ladies. Indeed, in France it is known as "La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde" (Tapestry of Queen Mathilda). However, it was probably made in a workshop on the orders of Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, who was William's half-brother.
The misidentification of Harold of England in the tapestry has led to the widespread but incorrect idea that Harold was killed by an arrow striking his eye. The tapestry also contains a representation of a comet which is likely to be Halley's Comet.
The embroiderers used wool which had been tinted with vegetable dyes. The colours of muted brick, rust, mustard yellow, olive-green, dark brown and off-white can be found in cloth traditionally woven in the region.
The tapestry is a landmark in graphic art and its serial storytelling is considered an ancestor of the comic strip.
It has been parodied in later embroidery and artwork, particularly those involving invasions.