Bayeux Tapestry
Battle of Hastings

by Mandy Barrow

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What does the Tapestry contain?

The Bayeux Tapestry contains:

• about 55 scenes each describing a particular event
• hundreds of images including castles, boats, hunters and men dressed in armour.

The original Bayeux Tapestry has 626 people, 190 horses and mules, 35 dogs, 506 other birds and animals, 33 buildings, 37 ships and 37 trees or groups and trees, and 57 Latin inscriptions.

What are on the borders of the Tapestry?
The borders of the tapestry are filled with mythological figures, lions, dragons, and scenes from fables.

Who is the main character on the Bayeux Tapestry?
The main character of the tapestry is William the Conqueror.

What can we learn from looking at the Bayeux Tapestry?
It tells the story of the Norman invasion of England in 1066 through panels which depict scenes of battle and of daily life. Therefore, from looking at the pictures on the tapestry, we can out much about life during the time of the invasion.

For example, we can tell:

• What weapons, armour and horse tack were used. (There are 11 battle scenes.)
• What happened at the battle.
• What Norman ships were like and what they were used for. We can see that they moved men and horses.
• What eleventh-century carpentry was like by looking at the scenes of ship-building.
• What hairstyle people had and the way they dressed.

Hair styles in the Bayeux Tapestry are used to differentiate between Englishmen and the Normans/French. The shaved heads behind the ears is typically Norman. The Englishmen are universally long-haired, and most sport mustaches; some later depicted with beards as well.

How did Harold die?

Contents

The Norman Invasion of England - introduction

Meet the four claimants to the English throne (includes family tree)

The battle of Stamford Bridge

Who was the leader of the Normans?

Who were the Normans? Houses, clothes, food

Where did William fight Harold for the English Throne?
The Battle of Hastings

What happened at the Battle of Hastings?

Who died with an arrow in his eye?

William becomes King - plus Domesday Book info

The Bayeux Tapestry - introduction

What is the Bayeux Tapestry about?

Questions and answers about the Bayeux Tapestry Part one

Questions and answers about the Bayeux Tapestry Part two

Horses | Armour | Shields | Helmets | Weapons

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