Secrets of the Bayeux Tapestry

A short and comprehensive guide to the fascinating secrets and mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry.

Learn the secrets and mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry, from its stunning embroidery to its elaborate storytelling. The history of the iconic Bayeux Tapestry is laid out in all its glory in this concise and colourfully photographed guide to this fascinating piece of living history. Trace the tapestry's long journey through being hidden, reappearing, changing hands and travelling across countries, all while keeping its vivid colours as it goes, and find out why some of its history is so hotly debated to this day. You can both delve into its intricate details, such as the fact that it's not a tapestry at all but a very long embroidery, and learn about the quirks of medieval living, as well as hover over with a bird's eye view, taking in the historical context of what such a huge undertaking would have meant at the time. The tapestry will take you through the Norman perspective on the lead-up to the Battle of Hastings and all the preparations that came with it – from ship building to battle dress and weaponry – as well as its violent conclusion and the infamous image of King Harold with an arrow in his eye. With allusions to Aesop's fables and even a depiction of Halley's Comet, the Bayeux Tapestry and the rich tapestry of human history that surrounds it will always spark our imagination. Both timeless and very much rooted in its time, enjoy the story of one of the world's most enduring textiles.