Product Description

The vivid scenes on the Bayeux Tapestry depict the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It is one of Europe's greatest treasures and its own story is full of drama and surprise. Who commissioned the tapestry? Was it Bishop Odo, William's ruthless half-brother? Or Harold's dynamic sister Edith, juggling for a place in the new court? Hicks shows us this world and the miracle of the tapestry's making: the stitches, dyes and strange details in the margins. For centuries, it lay ignored in Bayeux cathedral until its 'discovery' in the eighteenth century. It became a symbol of power as well as art: townsfolk saved it during the French Revolution; Napoleon displayed it to promote his own conquest; the Nazis strove to make it their own; and its influence endures today. This marvellous book, packed with thrilling stories, shows how we remake history in every age and how a great work of art has a life of its own.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #236144 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

BBC History magazine - review by David Musgrove
`Fascinating stuff throughout'

Guardian
"a perceptive and sure-footed guide. …fascinating tale with deftest of touches"

Glasgow Herald
"a lightness of touch and a depth of knowledge which is second to none…A captivating work of poplar history"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating
A fascinating look at the history of this amazingly long-lived artifact, which has come near to destruction or loss on several occasion at the hands of French Calvinists, revolutionaries, Napoleon and the SS. The book also explores the many attempts at reproductions of the work, or other works in different media inspired by the original. It explores the origins of the work and is inconclusive on who commissioned it, though the author makes a good case for Edith, widow of Edward the Confessor. Will interest those into Medieval history and art history alike.

Good
If you are thinking of visiting the Tapestry, best arm yourself with a book from amazon first as the museum there houses some very expensive books which will put you off finding out more about the tapestry.

Not a particularly light read unless the Normans are a firm favourate for you but there are some very interesting snippets of information that would make a visit to the tapestry much more enjoyable.

Not enough photographs in this book - and there is no doubt that it is a beautiful work of art to see, so it is a shame not to see more photos of it in this book.

Storytelling at its best
I've just finished this book whilst suffering from a bad cold and I can honestly say that it was the best tonic I could have laid my hands on!

The author explores an intriguing subject, which she presents to the reader in a refreshingly approachable manner. Charting the adventures of this enduring tapestry through the ages, one wonders how it ever survived at all. I couldn't put it down!