#bayeuxtapestry

[whencyclopedia]

Bayeux Tapestry Reveals 1066 Conquest

The Bayeux Tapestry is a remarkable embroidery that tells the dramatic story of the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Created shortly after the conquest, it vividly depicts the events leading up to William the Conqueror’s victory over King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. More than just a historical record, it offers a unique glimpse into medieval life and warfare.

What is the Bayeux Tapestry?

The tapestry is not actually a woven tapestry but an embroidery, stitched onto linen cloth. It stretches over 230 feet long, making it the largest and best-preserved visual artifact from the Middle Ages. Likely produced by skilled embroiderers in Canterbury between 1067 and 1079, it was probably commissioned by Odo, Bishop of Bayeux and William’s half-brother.

Key Facts

Depicts the Norman conquest of England in 1066 led by William the Conqueror.

Shows the death of King Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings.

Created shortly after the conquest, between 1067-1079 CE.

Made with detailed embroidery on linen, not woven textile.

Likely made in Canterbury by English embroiderers.

Commissioned by Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, William’s half-brother.

Provides important insights into medieval warfare, armor, ships, and daily life.

Displayed today in the William the Conqueror Centre, Bayeux, Normandy, France.

Historical Context

The Bayeux Tapestry was made just after the Norman invasion of England, an event that reshaped English culture, politics, and language by replacing Anglo-Saxon rule with Norman governance. The embroidery serves as both a record and a propaganda tool, illustrating William’s claim to the English throne and his victory over Harold.

Historical Significance

This artifact is invaluable to historians because it is an eyewitness-like portrayal of one of medieval Europe’s most pivotal moments. It uniquely combines art, history, and storytelling, offering a detailed visual narrative that enriches our understanding of 11th-century life and warfare beyond written chronicles. Its survival through nearly a millennium makes it a treasure of medieval heritage and historical storytelling.

Learn More: Bayeux Tapestry

[medievalistsnet]

Was the Bayeux Tapestry Made for a Monastic Dining Hall?

New research suggests the Bayeux Tapestry may have been designed for display in a monastic refectory at St Augustine’s Abbey in Canterbury, where monks could view and reflect on its narrative during communal meals.

Read here

[suislefil]

Made great progress on my Bayeux tapestry vs Monty Python project this week! You can join me live Monday through Thursday at 3pm Paris time for fun chats and stitches! twitch.tv/suislefil . . . #twitch #twitchstreamer #twitchaffiliate #suislefil #embroidery #broderie #needlework #needleart #handmade #faitmain #bayeuxvsmontypython #historicalmemes #bayeuxtapestry (at Reims, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBX043PD7GV/?igshid=1dwgr4ynf8i20

[fatcatartru]

The Bayeux Tapestry, true 23rd scene, 1070 AD #FatCatArt The true reason of the Norman invasion of England revealed! The captions say: "HAROLD SACRAMENTUM FECIT WILLELMO DUCI" – Harold made an oath to Duke William “I swear I will provide a bigger chair for you cat”! But he did not. The rest you already know: Halley’s comet was seen in the sky. The Normans invaded England. William became the Conqueror. #BayeuxTapestry #normaninvasion #fatcat #bigcat #catsofinstagram #orangecat #gingertabby #gingercat #catlover #catsoftheday #classicartmemes

[whencyclopedia]

Medieval Knight

Knights were the most-feared and best-protected warriors on the medieval battlefield, while off it, they were amongst the most fashionably dressed and best-mannered members of society. To reach this elevated position, however, became more and more challenging as the Middle Ages wore on because the elite wished to maintain their exclusive status.

Requirements to become a knight included an aristocratic birth, training from childhood, money for weapons, horses and squires, and a knowledge of the rules of chivalry. Good looks, fine clothes, a striking coat of arms, and an ability to recite poetry and songs were optional but highly desirable extras if one wanted to rise to the very top of this elite level of medieval society.

How to Become a Knight

The process of becoming a knight started from early childhood. The typical starting point for a young lad of 7 to 10 years old was to become a page when he learned to handle horses, hunt, and use mock weapons while serving a knight proper. From age 14, the next step was to become a squire (or esquire), who had more responsibility than a page, learned to use real weapons, and started an education, especially the study of chivalry. Squires assisted knights in peace and war, holding their extra lances or shield, cleaning their armour, and looking after the several horses each knight owned. If all went well, the youth, by then around 18 years old, was made a knight in a ceremony known as a dubbing.

For a dubbing, a soon-to-be knight had a good bath and kept a church vigil overnight. On the day of the ceremony the squire was dressed by two knights with a white tunic and white belt to symbolise purity, black or brown stockings to represent the earth to which he will one day return, and a scarlet cloak for the blood he is now ready to spill for his baron, sovereign, and church. He was given his sword back, now blessed by a priest with the proviso he always protect the poor and weak. The blade had two cutting edges - one to represent justice, the other loyalty and chivalry.

The knight awarding the honour then might attach a spur or put the sword and belt on the squire, and give him a kiss on the cheek. The squire was then knighted by a simple tap on the shoulders or neck with the hand or sword, or even a heavy blow (colée or 'accolade') - meant to be the last one he should ever take without retaliating and to remind him of his obligations and moral duty not to disgrace the man who dealt the blow. Next, he was given his horse, and then his shield and banner, which might bear his family coat of arms. The ceremony was rounded off by a large feast.

Early knights could come from any background, all that was needed was courage and endeavour. Many early knights were given their title on the battlefield by a lord or monarch (often symbolically in the form of spurs, hence the expression 'to win one's spurs') typically after displaying particular valour and effectiveness in fighting the enemy. By the 13th century, though, most knights were sons of knights as the class sought to maintain its exclusivity in society.

Continue reading...

[whencyclopedia]

Medieval Knights: 12 of the Best

The knights of medieval Europe were meant to be the finest fighting men of their age, even more important, they were expected to be pure in thought and deed, as exemplified in the chivalrous code which they (usually) followed. Here are the stories of 12 such knights. The legendary figures are perhaps based on historical knights and the historical knights have all become legendary; such is the indistinct line of truth between fact and fiction and humanity's need to create larger-than-life figures of a by-gone age when valour and chivalry reached their apex.

Learn more about Medieval Knights: 12 of the Best

[tretamax]

Sorce- Thomas

“A Piece of the Past Comes Home: Bayeux Tapestry Reunited”

The return of the Bayeux Tapestry fragments from Germany to France is more than just the physical recovery of historical artifacts — it’s…

✨ History comes home! ✨

Germany has returned tiny fragments of the Bayeux Tapestry to France—pieces taken during WWII. 🧵

These small threads may be tiny, but they carry big stories from the 11th century, showing the Norman conquest of England.

Now preserved and studied, they remind us that every piece of history matters. 🌍💛

[archaeopath]

The Lewis Chessmen will be on display in France in return for an #exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry in Great Britain. #Chess #ChessHistory @Archaeodons group #histodons @antiquidons group #lewischessmen #BayeuxTapestry #gameshistory

British Museum to loan Lewis Chessmen to France for Bayeux Tapestry

THE British Museum will loan the Lewis Chessman to France in exchange for the Bayeux Tapestry, set to return to England for the first time in more…