Although being called a tapestry, The Bayeux Tapestry is in fact a piece of embroidery made with wool thread on a linen cloth, that portrays the events leading up to and during The Battle of Hastings in 1066. Made in the medieval period, this story told through needlework consisted of the Duke of Normandy’s crossing of the English Channel and defeating the Anglo-Saxon King Harold. The Duke of Normandy, also known as William The Conqueror following these events, was the seventh Duke of Normandy and was also promised the throne by King Edward after his death, due to his lack of heirs and the fact that he found refuge in Normandy for 30 years. The tapestry tells the story from the year 1064 when King Edward the Confessor instructs his brother in law Harold to sail to Normandy, in order to offer the Duke of Normandy succession to the English throne. Although, after King Edward dies, Harold crowns himself king instead, leading to the Duke of Normandy invading, crossing the sea in long ships full of horses and his army, and reclaiming his throne through the epic battle in 1066. This battle is told through the gruesome and detailed embroidery, displaying a bloody battle full of severed limbs, falling horses and the defeat of Harold caused by an arrow being shot in his eye, according to the Anglo-Norman tapestry. This colossal retelling of history spans up to 70 metres long, containing 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses.
Furthermore, it is said that Jersey were also a part of this turning point in history. This is as it was rumoured that some Jersey men or relatives of them fought in the battle of Hastings under the command of their Normandy Lords. However, this cannot be said for sure as we are unable to prove this claim, with the matter of who in fact really attended the battle being an argument that has spanned over centuries. However, the sons of Godefroi de Carteret, Onfroi, Mauger and Roger, are said to be participants in this historic event. This links to the history of Jersey as Onfroi de Carteret’s son is believed to the first de Carteret established in Jersey, resulting in the dynasty that ruled Jersey for centuries.
Here you can explore the Bayeaux tapestry scene by scene, allowing you to get a real sense of the enormity of this piece of needlework and the brutal and dramatic events it displays.