The first time I heard of the tapestry, was while I was at University. I was taking a World Civilization Course, the curriculum covering the beginning of recorded life up until 1500. My professor told us about a lecture that was being presented on an incredible tapestry, and offered a bit of extra credit if we attended. Of course!
Wow, was I in for a surprise. It wasn't just about some tapestry some lady made a few hundred years ago, but about a magnificent piece of history: a 90+ foot long piece of linen embroidered with the story of William the Conqueror. I was impressed and fascinated. I remember taking lots of notes, but mostly listening and looking at the beautiful images put up on the screen. Then, I sort of forgot about it.
Fast forward six-ish years. When we told Peter Martland that we were going to visit Normandy, he said: "You must see the Bayeux tapestry." A bells starting going off in my head, but I couldn't remember exactly what that was. So, I said: "Ok, we will." I went home and did some Googling, and that lecture from several years ago suddenly started going through my head.
Was I actually going to get to see this amazing feat of craftsmanship? Yes! And oh, was it well worth the trip.
The museum has done a wonderful job of presenting the tapestry. It's in a dark room, behind glass, and presented beautifully so you can see every detail if you want to stop and stare. An audio guide that goes through each scene is provided, which keeps the crowd moving and, most importantly, explains exactly what you are seeing. Derek and I shared one, as Henry insisted he needed his own audio guide from the comfort of his buggy.
I wish we could have taken pictures, but I think their no photography policy is not only practical, but warranted. But despite this, the beauty of the tapestry was so apparent: my respect for the women who spent hours and hours telling the story of William the Bastard turned Conqueror grew with every step I took along the corridor.
Upstairs, there is an exhibition on how the tapestry was made and the history displayed in the scenes. Henry was most interested in finding all the horses in this part (that's my boy!), while Derek and I had time to speed read all of the labels and explanations in the exhibition.
Did you know, that it made it through two fires in the Bayeux Cathedral, where it was displayed? It was also used as a sort of tarp on a cart during the French Revolution, when a soldier recognized what it was and took it up to the safety of his office. Thank goodness!
The museum experience ended with a film on the tapestry. (Henry moved from one chair to another, and we may have snuck in some Pringles, but we adults actually got to watch the entire film without too much interruption! Wow!)
Moral of the story is: read about the Bayeux Tapestry, and if you are in Normandy, you simply MUST go see it.
Oh, and after the tapestry, we stepped in to the magnificent Bayeux Cathedral. Beautiful, rather small for a cathedral, but absolutely spectacular. Bayeux is such a charming, quiet little city. I wish we had had more time to explore, but nap time was fast approaching, and we have a very busy day of travel tomorrow, so we packed up and headed back to our cottage here in Normandy.
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