The Story Of English :: essays research papers

The Story of English Many people may ask, " What is the Bayeux Tapestry?" In the following paragraphs, the significance of the Bayeux Tapestry will be recognized. First of all it should be understood that it is not a Tapestry in the full sense of the word. It is an embroidery. It was constucted from eight separate pieces of linen which were joined to make up it's length. It is approximately 70 meters long and a half a meter wide. It is evident that at one stage it ws longer, probably by as much as seven or eight meters are missing. This is a tragedy as it may have answered many of the questions that gives cause for debate today. It is generally agreed that Bishop Odo was the architect who commisioned the Bayeux Tapestry. It was designed and constructed reasonably soon after the battle in 1066. It was made without any shadow of a doubt to celebrate and record for posterity the events leading up to battle and its aftermath. If it is reasonably confident that Bishop Odo commissioned the Tapestry, debate still reigns as where to it was constructed, and by whom. It basically comes down to the allegiances. If one is French, they would like to believe that it was made in France. There are so many clues in its construction that indicate otherwise. Whereas it is known as the Bayeux Tapestry in England, it is sometimes referred to in France as the Tapisserie de la reine Mathilde or Queen Matilda's Tapestry. Matilda, one will remember, was William's wife. To infer that she and she alone constructed this work of art defies all credibility. As Queen of England and Duchess of Normandy, she would never have had the time. Another factor which excludes her from the equation is that she does not appear in it herself (although she may have been in the missing section). So if you discount the construction being undertaken in France, where was it made? Over the years, the Tapestry has been studied by experts in this field and the consensus of opinion is that it was of English construction. Certain historical facts of the time and features of the Tapestry indicate where it was made. Following the battle in 1066, Bishop Odo was made Earl of Kent. This was partly because he was William's half brother and secondly because William was duty bound to repay the loyalty of his nobles.