to tell a story in the artistic storytelling tradition of the middle ages. It has always been referred to as a tapestry, however, and we will continue here in this manner.
Nelson argues that ôThe Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most important pictorial works surviving from the middle ages, and certainly the most important from the eleventh century,ö (Nelson). This is perhaps because of the insight which the tapestry has provided into the era of the middle ages. From studying the tapestry and reading literature of the era, scholars and historians have been able to make numerous conclusions about life during the middle ages.
Just as importantly, however, the Bayeux tapestry seems to hold an air of regal importance because of its influence upon art, not only during the era in which the work was conceived, but extending through several centuries. To an extent, even artwork created to this day, can still be argued to hold within it, shadows of medieval art, and as such, influences from such amazing classic works as the Bayeux tapestry.
The story portrayed within the beautiful tapestry is that of the battle of Hastings. The tapestry would have been created as a story for a public that couldnÆt read. It conveys the Norman view that Harold Codwinson, having sworn to help William become king of England, had no right to accept the throne himself. His fall came in retribution for breaking that oath. It is believed, however, tha
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