The Bayeux Tapestry is a medieval tapestry of almost 70 m long, a unique work dating from the 11th century and which allows to relive the conquest of England by William the Conqueror. This incredible embroidery of woolen threads on linen canvas is exhibited in Bayeux in the museum that bears its name. Classified as a historical monument since 1840 and listed in the Memory of the World Register by UNESCO since 2007, a stroll through the museum is a wonderful opportunity to observe the Tapestry in great detail and, through the characters, animals, monuments and other symbols, to plunge into the heart of an important part of the history of France and of England. While the work will be restored in 2024 in order to preserve all its splendor, let's take a closer look at the history of the Tapestry through the ages, before tackling its making, and then finishing with these places in Bayeux that are a welcome addition to the contemplation of this masterpiece.
The Bayeux Tapestry through history
If we are lucky enough to have a museum entirely dedicated to the contemplation of the Bayeux Tapestry, it is important to know that the history of the work has been particularly eventful. Indeed, several episodes almost endangered and damaged it. It is by being repeatedly saved that it has reached us and continues to fascinate the curious, history lovers, scientists and artists.
The Bayeux Tapestry was certainly created to adorn the new cathedral of Bayeux in the 11th century. As an inventory of the cathedral's treasury attests, it would have spent seven centuries there. It was not until the 18th century that the Tapestry was mentioned again and it was almost cut up in 1792 to cover the soldiers' wagons. It was fortunately saved by a lawyer. At the beginning of the 19th century, under Napoleon Bonaparte, the Bayeux Tapestry was sent to Paris to be exhibited in turn in the Napoleon Museum, then in the Louvre. One wonders then if the Emperor did not use it for propaganda purposes related to his future invasion of England. In 1812, it was returned to Bayeux where it was kept in the Town Hall, then exhibited from 1842 in the Mathilde Gallery.
In 1939, it was transferred to an underground shelter under the Hôtel du Doyen in Bayeux, where it remained confined and was deployed once a month to check its condition. In June 1944, while the Tapestry was in the National Museums depot in Sourches in the Sarthe, SS chief Heinrich Himmler ordered its transfer to a shelter in Paris. In August 1944, the uprising in the capital saved this masterpiece from being sent to Germany. The Nazis were indeed interested in the Tapestry in order to find proof of the superiority of the "Nordic race". In December 1944, they took advantage of its presence in the Louvre to exhibit it once again in the famous Parisian museum, before it returned to the Hôtel du Doyen in Bayeux to be displayed in its window.
Torn up during the Revolution, then stolen by the Nazis, it is an incredible story that of the Bayeux Tapestry, now on permanent display in the eponymous museum since 1983. The Bayeux Tapestry is displayed in a dark room where the lighting carefully highlights the details and colors.
The Bayeux Tapestry, a narrative embroidery
If we do not know the author or authors of the Bayeux Tapestry, we are certain of one thing: the technique used is embroidery. The nine interconnected linen panels depicting scenes of William the Conqueror's conquest of England were embroidered with wool thread. The pigments used to dye the wool came from the use of plants such as gaude, madder and woad.
The Bayeux Tapestry was made using four embroidery stitches. These are the stem stitch, the chain stitch, the split stitch made with two threads and the couching stitch otherwise known as "Bayeux stitch". It is this last one which was used to fill the colored areas and which produces a relief effect.
Today we note that if the original colors have survived wonderfully well through the ages, the colors from the 19th century restorations have faded. At the same time, during the recent closure of the museum, eight specialized restorers have identified stains, folds and other tears. While some alterations, such as the holes left by multiple hangings over time, will be preserved as evidence of the work's history, others will be restored in the fall of 2024. The goal is for the Bayeux Tapestry to continue to amaze the curious for generations to come.
Some experiences not to be missed during a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry
A trip to Bayeux to visit the museum that houses the Bayeux Tapestry can be complemented by a visit to the Notre-Dame de Bayeux Cathedral, where the Tapestry spent over seven centuries of its history in the Treasury. It was exhibited there once a year to show the faithful the fate of the perjurer Harold. The building, classified as a historical monument since 1862, is in the Norman Romanesque and Gothic style. The architecture of the cathedral immediately catches the eye, the crypt is splendid and contemporary stained glass windows designed by Véronique Joumard in the cathedral of Bayeux will soon be installed.
Another possible experience is a workshop proposed by Chantal at the Bayeux Broderie workshop-boutique. You can learn the ancestral embroidery technique of Bayeux stitch after having chosen your design. The workshop transmits a unique know-how linked to the heritage and history of this part of Normandy. A moment to enjoy yourself, alone, in pairs or in groups
