Anyone who is a student of history has heard of the Battle of Hastings. But if you are an art student, you may not know what I am talking about. But it is the art student who can truly appreciate something from that history that was left behind. We will be using it as our art model for this next project, it is called the Bayeux Tapestry. What is this you ask? Like all other posts on my blog, it is my personal opinion that it should be considered a great work of art to study during this time period. Like the Book of Kells, the Bayeux Tapestry, is just extraordinary!

In the Bayeux Museum, France

And here is why: everything use to create this amazing embroidery was handmade. Everything, the copper alloy needles used,  the flax grown and harvested, the linen woven into material, to the wool spun into thread, to the herbs harvested and then used to dye it, and the the wooden frames used to hold it as it was sewn. All of these things were made by hand. That fact alone is amazing in 1066 AD, but here is the part that will make you gasp in astonishment, yes, gasp I say!

This embroidery is 229 feet long and measures 19 in. wide.*Gasp!* It is made up of nine sections sewn together to make a long banner. The design is made up of a wide center band where the main story is told and then flanked by a boarder on either side with symbols, small pictures and decorative bars. There are also simple Latin references for the person who was a novice at reading Latin.

Close up of stitching

 There are 4 different stitches used throughout the tapestry and all the woolen colors have been dyed using only 3 natural plant dyes! However, there are 10 colors throughout the tapestry! Click on this

link to learn more about this amazing fiber art piece.(Pierre Bouet and Francois Neveux , Internationa experst on the Bayerux tapestry,http://www.bayeuxmuseum.com/)

Here is what it might have looked like as it was being made

This beautiful handmade tapestry tells the epic tale of a great battle between William the Conqueror of France and  Harold the Unfortunate of England.

Here is a History Clip to watch:

Here is a great website link on the Norman Conquest Here is an Animated version of the Bayeux Tapestry and here is a super fun activity link

HERE is a master list for you to use. Please do this before next class time. For the next 3 weeks you will need your embroidery hoop, tapestry needle, and scissors.   

All photos are from Google and used for educational purposes