Carefully examine the images of the Bayeux Tapestry at one or both of the links below. Based on your observations, answer the following questions. Make sure your answers are clear. If you are not sure what an object is called, describe it. Please indicate which link you used for this assignment.

Hastings1066.com This link has the highest quality images. Use the links at the bottom of the page to get background information on this source.
BayeuxTapestry.org This link contains the same images, but at a lower quality so that they will load more quickly.

1. At one point, Harold swears an oath to Duke William. Upon what does he rest his hand as he swears the oath?
2. Find a funeral procession. In which image panel does it appear? Whose funeral is it?
3. There is one picture of someone being crowned king. Who is it? What does he hold in his hands?
4. At one point, the people marvel at ‘the star’. What does the star look like? What do you think it is?
5. Find the scene where the Normans are building ships. Describe the process based on the images.
6. What kinds of things do they load into the ships? Describe them.
7. What do the Normans do as soon as they land at Hastings? Give a description of their activities.
8. In what image panel do we first see the clash between the Normans and the English? Describe some of the differences between the armies.
9. Look at the image in the borders of the tapestry. What are some of the differences between the images in the first part of the tapestry and the images that appear toward the end?
10. In what image panel is the death of Harold depicted? Describe how he is killed.

After you have examined the Tapestry and completed the questions above, answer the following questions. You should write at least one or two paragraphs for each question.

1. What is the value of the tapestry as a historical source? What are its weaknesses?
2. There is disagreement over who might have designed the tapestry. What difference does it make?
3. Think of some stereotypical images of the middle ages (King Arthur, etc.). What did you see in the tapestry that contradicted those stereotypes?  What did you see that confirmed them?