The city of Bayeux, located within the region of Normandy, is world wide known by its famous tapestries. Although there are several other aspects by which this town is famous, these tapestries might probably the most interesting and unique of them due to they accurately describe many different moments in a sequence of events.
The history
Bayeux tapestries were created during the XI century and tell important events from King Edward’s époque, describing different situations until the death of his brother Harold in the famous battle of Hastings, were William the Conqueror defeated the English after a very interesting story which can be seen illustrated through the tapestries.
King Edward became close friend of William of Normandy after he gave the king refuge once he was exiled. After this event, King Edward decided to name William his successor in gratitude and sent his brother Harold to tell him. The tapestries show some of the major events which happened since this moments, which can be seen as the beginning of this story they illustrate.
After going through some difficulties, Harold arrives at William’s residence and tells him he will be successor to Edwards, and William gives her daughter’s hand to him in order to show him his gratitude. These events are illustrated through the tapestries by showing the Normandy men without any hair and the English men with moustaches in order to clearly differentiate them.
When Harold returned to were king Edward was, he found his brother very ill. While he was dieing, the king asked Harold to accept the crown. This way, a few days after Harold had returned, his brother died and he became the king. This can be clearly seen described in a tapestry which even accurately indicates the date through the illustration of Halley’s Comet which appeared at April 24, 1066.
Once William learnt what had happened, he decided to go with an army. Harold and his men who were returning from a battle met William and his army in what is known as the Battle of Hastings. This battle is clearly depicted through the tapestries, and the last illustration shows how Harold was defeated and killed. This battle gives end to the tapestries sequence and the story told through them.