Some think that Matilda, Williams wife spent her lonely hours embroidering while her husband was off conquering but she actually did not have a passion for needle work and besides she was too busy at home in France raising their 10 children to have any time for leisure ! ( Seriously now .... how much can a woman do! )
People have argued over who made it for centuries but the most likely explanation is that the actual stitching was done in England by a team of English woman probably under the direction of the Monks of in Winchester or Canterbury and completed in 1077 in time for the Bayeux cathedral dedication. ( Commissioned by the Bishop of Bayeux at the time a crazy half brother of William). The first official mention of the tapestry was in 1476 .
It is very uniform obviously designed by a single very gifted person .( no one knows who ).
It tells a story and has been likened to the worlds most famous comic strip . It is actually well done when you know the history . Heaps of details and action everywhere and quite symbolic.eg people decapitated, limbs severed, huge phallic symbols even ! ( you have to look really carefully for those )
It has had a rough life, survived the Revolution and was hidden several times in Paris eventually to be returned to Bayeux.
There was a bonus with this visit as we managed to get in as students thanks to Marks ID ...yahoo nearly half price. We even had audio commentaries included in the price!
Sorry no pictures as you cant any photos .
Tea shop . Pastries and delicious cakes ...yum yum heaven. Where did all the cakes go ...Mark !
We stopped in Bayeux at this quaint tea shop with a chandeliers, ornate ceilings and tiled floors Cakes to choose from included - chocolate moose to carameled walnuts , custard and sponge small tortes, jam and apple to name a few .
Lace making:
The Conservatoire de la Dentelle. Dedicated woman still enjoy the craft of lace making. Very intricate and time consuming
Architecture: There are various styles of architecture from old wooden house to the traditional Notre Dame Cathedrals . See the gargoyles on the sides of the cathedral
yummmmmmm. awesome buildings! i like before i design my own house ill travel around and get some inspiration and some antique furniture pieces
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