Mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry

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Antoine Bamas

Alexis de Favitski

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Factual: History

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

BBC Four - Mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry

Experts from archaeologists to astrophysicists offer new insights on the Bayeux Tapestry.

Experts from archaeologists to astrophysicists offer new insights on the Bayeux Tapestry, an artefact which, despite its fame, has remained shrouded in mystery.

The Bayeux Tapestry is a remarkable and unique work of art that has survived for almost 1,000 years. Made in the 11th century, it tells the story of William of Normandy’s claim to the English throne, culminating in the Norman invasion of England and the Battle of Hastings.

Surprisingly for an object of its size, the Bayeux Tapestry is not mentioned in any contemporary records. So where does it come from? Who made it and why? Archaeologists, historians, biologists, anthropologists and even astrophysicists are unlocking some of the tapestry’s mysteries to understand better the story it tells us about England and France at that time.  

At nearly 70 metres in length, the Bayeux Tapestry includes 623 characters, hundreds of animals and a wide diversity of scenes depicting everyday life and epic events. It is a treasure trove of information, offering an extraordinary insight into a pivotal moment in history.

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