Image 12 In this picture a man is giving another man something, which seems to be a weapon, according to the text. Then, a group of men are coming either to a city or to a church. It looks like a church with a road. Then, there is a court setting with a ruler and tables or gifts or something I cannot identify and a man standing between them in the court of the ruler.
Images 14 and 15 Theres a king in an arbor type of setting, with a servant. Then theres a great palace and what looks like a coffin being carried by poll bearers. Then, there are people mourning and someone is in bed. Next, some people are talking to a decorated man, apparently Harold since his name is right above his head. There is a new king and people are paying homage to him, and theres Archbishop Stigand. Then, people are astounded and pointing at something. I am only describing what I see, but it helps that the text is included with the strip. It makes everything (the actual story) very clear.
Images 17 and 18 There are people, apparently of rank, conversing. Then, a whole bunch of people are chopping down trees, and then cutting them into boards. Then, they are making boats or canoes. Then, there are men pulling the boats with line, and apparently that is water. After that, theres a pagoda, and a whole bunch of people carrying swords and armor. Then, they are pulling a cart lined with spears, apparently carrying some sort of basket or urn or mummified body.
Images 22 and 23 There are lots of children, animals, cattle and little houses. Theres a pot with fire under it, so apparently food is cooking. Someone is carrying a tray of food to a table. There seems to be a huge feast with eating and drinking and servants carrying food in. Then, there are three men conversing in a pagoda, named Odo, Wilelm and Rotbert. Then, theres a man talking to a whole bunch of men carrying spade-like or bludgeoning devices.
Image 29 There are many men on horses, wearing armor and carrying spears, running their horses quickly forward. There are dead men on the ground with spears in them. Then, there is the other side of the battle, where a whole group of men are standing up on the ground. They have spears and arrows and are shooting them.
Part 2
1. The Bayeux Tapestry1 can be used as a historical source for the Battle of Hasting and the events leading up to it because it is a visual history. Not everything is in books or texts, and things like hieroglyphs, wall art and period painting can almost give a better depiction of a time period than words. In text, the people of 1066 would not necessarily know that what is usual and normal for them is unique for later generations. Text may not cover specifics which visual art is able to capture. A description of the clothing of the time is not nearly as useful as a picture of it. A description of the habits of storytelling may not show up as well in text, either. The method in which the picture storytelling is laid out says a lot about order of importance, methods of storytelling and, perhaps, how they would have told the story verbally.
The Bayeux Tapestry may not be considered an entirely reliable source of history, depending upon the storyteller and, perhaps, who commissioned the tapestry itself. Story telling can be entirely subjective and heroes can make themselves out to be more important than they really were. If whoever was telling the story in the tapestry wanted their audience to view it in a certain way, they certainly could have influenced that. Also, if the tapestry was commissioned by a church or royalty or if it was put together by a certain group of people, the beliefs of that group or organization could have infiltrated the story. If we did not know where the tapestry came from, or who the story artist was, it would be like an anonymous text by an unverified author. The information contained within could be completely false.
2. A descriptive aspect of the time period could include the borders along each edge of the strips. Sometimes, the borders contain text and other pictures, such as churches or people, but most of the time it is constructed of a uniform, geometric design evenly interspersed with animals and crosses. This tells me that uniform art and design was very important to the 11th Century people. Also, religion, as always, seems to have played a large part in the design and making of the tapestry. Maybe monks made it. Also, the borders seem to be providing text lines, like ruled college notebook paper, in which to set the story. I wonder if all of their stories were displayed in this manner.
Another descriptive aspect of the time period was the variety of animals displayed in the border. Sometimes, each animal is different from the last, and sometimes, the animals are paired up and facing each other. In fact, top and bottom borders do not always match in these differing characteristics. This tells me that the border may not have been crafted purely by artistic license, but might have some meaning behind it. I also notice that not all of the animals in the border are real. There are mythological creatures, such a gryphons and winged horses. I do not believe that this is only stylistic. I wonder if the mythological creatures are there to depict the constant mixing of the Christian and pagan rites and rituals. Mythological creatures are, after all, mostly pagan creations.
A third descriptive aspect I find is the fact that the tapestry was 230 feet long. This is an extremely long-term project probably engaged in by many people. The Battle of Hastings was extremely important and the tapestry would be a permanent memorial to it. More than wall art, which fades, or text, which crumbles, the tapestry would last for hundreds of years as a permanent testament. The time and labor spent upon it would be enormous, and, by reason, a lot of money and food must have gone into commissioning it. This is not just a historical source. This is a socio-economic-cultural source. The more we study the fiber, cloth, weave and colors of the fabric, the more we understand about the society in which it was created. The colors are still very bright and deep, and they did not skimp on color, so it was probably stored in a church or castle, which would account for its perfect preservation. More than likely, at feasts honoring future wars, the tapestry was brought out to toast and celebrate. Men told the story, pointing to the pictures, while it was displayed. This is purely conjecture, of course, but it makes sense.
This tapestry which depicts a huge slice of human history is a testament to a proud nation which won the battle, conquering even more later on. This is a symbol of pride. I bet that whoever crafted it and whoever commissioned it would have been very proud that so much time and study has gone into finding out more about that important story in their lives.
Categories:
0 comments:
Post a Comment