Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings – you know the one where Harold got the arrow in his eye – or maybe he didn’t. Anyway, he didn’t win, so we got to be ruled by the Normans instead.
I can’t say I’m all that hot on early Norman history, although I do love their castles, but you’ve got to have a tiny bit of respect for a victorious class who celebrate their conquest with an embroidery.
I’ve never seen the real thing, but the Bayeux Tapestry must be up there in the Top 10 of all time needlework greats.
I’d love to know how the commissioning happened. Just imagine William the Conqueror’s half-brother, Bishop Odo thinking, ‘I really should commemorate William’s amazing victory over the Saxons. I wonder what my fierce, warrior brother would like most? Umm, I know, I’ll get him an embroidery’.
Strange to say, but when I’m trying to think of ideas for my next piece of needlework, I don’t very often consider recent battles as suitable subjects. But there you are, maybe I’m missing a trick.
Dreaming In Stitches 