Saturday 18 January 2014

Bayeux and the Bayeux Tapestry

Bayeux tapestry

The Bayeux tapestry is found, funnily enough, in Bayeux in Normandy.  It is 231 feet long – and in embroidery tells the story of the Norman conquest of England.  It is said to have been made by Queen Mathilde, the Queen of William the Conqueror.  The tapestry is now kept in near darkness to preserve it.

Bayeux tapestry


It is actually in quite good nick.  We went straight after it opened again after lunch – by accident – but it was a great time to go – we were the very first in and were not at all hurried.  They do have an audio guide which keeps you moving along, though.

Bayeux tapestry


The tapestry is of an amazing scale – over 600 men are depicted, 200 horses and over 500 animals.  This is not just sewing, this is art!

A replica of the tapestry was done by some English women in Victorian times and can be seen in the Museum of Reading – apparently they left out the naughty bits!

Bayeux Cemetery


Bayeux was the first city to be liberated in 1944.  A visit to the Bayeux cemetery gives you some feel for the scales of the lives lost in WWII.

Bayeux Cathedral



Although Bayeux is most famous for the tapestry there is also a lovely cathedral there.
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1 comment:

  1. I have admired the Bayeux tapestry for many years! Thanks for the bit of history. I'm so glad it wasn't destroyed during WWII. The amount of work that went into making it is staggering!

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