Intro:
The Bayeux Tapestry is a wall hanging commissioned to commemorate the Norman conquest of Brittan.
The Tapestry is roughly 70m long by about 0.5m wide (224' x 20"). It was made to be displayed on the walls of the main hall of the home of Bishop Odo.
This type of embroidered wall hanging was popular during this period to decorate the halls of rich Saxon Lords.
The Bayeux Tapestry is a wall hanging commissioned to commemorate the Norman conquest of Brittan.
The Tapestry is roughly 70m long by about 0.5m wide (224' x 20"). It was made to be displayed on the walls of the main hall of the home of Bishop Odo.
This type of embroidered wall hanging was popular during this period to decorate the halls of rich Saxon Lords.
Extant Examples:
There is only one Bayeux Tapestry. The other similar hangings have been lost to time and conquest.
On the other hand, there has been found, in Norway, at least one piece that uses the same stitch technique.
Credit: Wilson, David M. "Bayeux Tapestry", Thames and Hudson, 2004
Credit: Wilson, David M. "Bayeux Tapestry", Thames and Hudson, 2004
Uses:
This technique was specifically for wall hangings.
Time/Place:
There are several examples of embroidered wall hangings from multiple cultures and time periods. So the concept of a piece of embroidery that tells a story seems universal. A variety of stitching techniques are seen on these hangings, from the various couching methods, to Gobelin stitch to possibly brick stitch. Various fragments are contemporaneous, leading to difficulties making definitive declarations regarding who used what technique when. The answer to those questions seems instead to be "yes".
Having said that, the Bayeux Tapestry was made around 1070 in England. This is close enough to the Norman conquest that it is safe to say these stitching techniques were in use by the Saxons in the years prior to the invasion. While Wilson does not indicate a date for the Norwegian hanging shown above, it is implied that it too is roughly 11th century. It can therefore be argued that this style of hanging could have been made almost anywhere.
Laid and couched stitching can be seen on other styles of embroidery later in period, used in small areas for variety or ease of stitching. So it could be argued that this style of wall hanging could have still been in use centuries later. However, the evidence indicates that other styles were more prevalent the later we look.
Design Features:
Motifs - Animals, people, plants, monsters, buildings, ships.
Details - Used to tell a story.
Stitches - Stem stitch and laid & couched stitch.
Materials - Linen ground with wool floss.
This technique was specifically for wall hangings.
Time/Place:
There are several examples of embroidered wall hangings from multiple cultures and time periods. So the concept of a piece of embroidery that tells a story seems universal. A variety of stitching techniques are seen on these hangings, from the various couching methods, to Gobelin stitch to possibly brick stitch. Various fragments are contemporaneous, leading to difficulties making definitive declarations regarding who used what technique when. The answer to those questions seems instead to be "yes".
Having said that, the Bayeux Tapestry was made around 1070 in England. This is close enough to the Norman conquest that it is safe to say these stitching techniques were in use by the Saxons in the years prior to the invasion. While Wilson does not indicate a date for the Norwegian hanging shown above, it is implied that it too is roughly 11th century. It can therefore be argued that this style of hanging could have been made almost anywhere.
Laid and couched stitching can be seen on other styles of embroidery later in period, used in small areas for variety or ease of stitching. So it could be argued that this style of wall hanging could have still been in use centuries later. However, the evidence indicates that other styles were more prevalent the later we look.
Design Features:
Motifs - Animals, people, plants, monsters, buildings, ships.
Details - Used to tell a story.
Stitches - Stem stitch and laid & couched stitch.
Materials - Linen ground with wool floss.