The Bayeux Tapestry is a famous piece of medieval art, an 11th century embroidery telling the story of the Norman Conquest of England and ending with the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It includes about 50 scenes and is one of the most important visual sources for 11th century history, providing details about armour, weapons, and everyday medieval times. This talk will include a live demonstration of the stitches and techniques used in the 11th century to create the artwork.
- 1066: The Hidden History in the Bayeux Tapestry, Andrew Bridgeford
- The Bayeux Tapestry: The Life Story of a Masterpiece, Carola Hicks
- Brief overview of the Bayeux Tapestry: what it is, when it was created, and its historical significance
- Events leading up to the Norman Conquest of 1066
- Key figures depicted in the tapestry (William the Conqueror, Harold Godwinson, etc.)
- The tapestry's role as both art and historical document
- The artistic style and techniques used in the tapestry and the use of colour, perspective, and symbolism
- Analysis of a few key scenes from the tapestry
- The main stitches used in the Bayeux Tapestry: stem stitch and couching stitch, with a demonstration on how to do each stitch
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Explain the historical context of the Norman Conquest of 1066 and identify key figures and events depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry.
- Describe the artistic techniques and symbolism used in the Bayeux Tapestry, demonstrating an understanding of medieval art styles.
- Identify and demonstrate basic embroidery stitches used in the Bayeux Tapestry.
