The real winners of the Battle of Hastings?
The Bayeux Tapestry is a genuine wonder of the medieval world
As you probably know, the Bayeux Tapestry – which tells the extraordinary story of William the Conqueror’s defeat of Harold Godwinson in 1066 – has returned to Britain for the first time in nearly 1,000 years and, from Thursday, it will go on display at the British Museum.
Comedian David Mitchell, who wrote about England’s kings in his book Unruly, said one of the first things he learned about the battle was “you’ve got to pick a side” (he chose Harold). So, who should Scots support?
William is not the most sympathetic of characters, but he was a highly effective monarch. The Normans also abolished slavery. But then, Harold perhaps confronted the Norman army before he was ready because William was attacking the locals. Scotland’s king, Malcolm III, gave refuge to fleeing Anglo-Saxons, but later signed a treaty with William, sensibly backing the winner.
However, perhaps the real winners are the embroiderers who made this wonder of the medieval world, which was, much later, an inspiration for the Great Tapestry of Scotland. It is their eternal art that we celebrate.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.