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This is a scaled-down, image of the 5 metre tapestry design

It has been split into 6 sections to make it easier to display on the web.

Design: Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5  Part 6

And this is what it looks like after all the nimble fingers have been at work:

The panel shows Harald on the long beach at Scarborough while bands of warriors go into action. King Harald is not dressed for war. He is pointing at what he wants done. After a few weeks of travel it is time to let his lieutenants take their men ashore for some raiding.

 

Understanding the images

The images within the tapestry are designed to tell a story. They are not just pictures - What you see is supposed to convey a message. The images, gestures and positions are all there to help the narrative.

bulletThis is exactly the same process used by advertisers and filmmakers -  Advertisers, in particular, are trying to tell a story with a few images.

Since the tapestry is silent, it is necessary to load a lot of meaning onto the figures:

bullethow they stand,
bullettheir gestures and expressions,
bulletthe way they dress and perhaps even
bullettheir size and position.

When you watch a silent, black and white movie you see a very different style of acting. Actions are exaggerated. The old movies give you lots of clues so you find the good guy always wears a white hat. These images are icons.

Icons

So do not look for realism in the tapestry. You need to interpret the images – Perhaps follow the direction of their gaze or look to where a finger or sword is pointing. To add extra dimensions to the story in the tapestry, there are margins running along the top and the bottom of the main panels. These might reinforce the main narrative, provide a context for the story or describe what is going on elsewhere.

Scholars studying the Bayeux Tapestry have identified the source of many of the images. By identifying the inspiration for a large number of the scenes, the experts have demonstrated that the design must have been based in England. They found that many had been copied or developed from manuscripts that were located in Canterbury around the time of the Norman Conquest.

Interesting links

bullet Battle of Fulford
bullet Battle of Stamford Bridge
bullet Battle of Hastings
bullet English Heritage
bullet Battlefields Trust
bullet Young Archaeologists Club (CAB)
bullet York Archaeological Trust
bullet Regia re-enactors
bullet Viking re-enactors
bulletOnline documents

Events

bullet Riccall Rampage 24 July 2010
bullet Jorvik Festival (there will be another one in 2011!)
bullet Fulford Festival 2010
bullet Festival of archaeology 2010

 

 

 

 

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last updated 20 Julyy 2010