What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most extraordinary artefacts to survive from the eleventh century. A fragile web of woollen thread on linen, its brilliant colours undimmed after nearly a thousand years, this masterpiece is unique as a complete example of an art form beloved of the aristocracy in the Romanesque era - the `historiated' or narrative embroidery.
The momentous story it tells is that of one of the turning-points in English and European history, the struggle for the succession to the English throne which culminated in the Battle of Hastings in the fateful year of 1066. The version told is that of the Normans who commissioned it - of Harold's perjury and its dreadful price, death and defeat in battle. Yet the sympathies of the English hands that designed and created it are equally evident. And the Tapestry itself is so close to the events it describes, and portrays them in such vivid detail,as to make it in its own right a historical source of the first order, not only for the political crisis of 1064-66 but also for the social history of eleventh-century life.
This book presents a full-colour reproduction of the entire Tapestry, with a detailed commentary alongside each episode, equipping the reader to follow the story blow by blow and this marvellous work of art step by step. In addition, a preliminary study sets the Tapestry in its artistic, cultural and historical context.
The late Lucien Musset, Emeritus Professor of the University of Caen, studied the Tapestry of nearby Bayeux for nearly fifty years. This erudite but highly readable survey distils a lifetime's scholarship into a wise and impeccably researched synthesis which enables the modern reader to appreciate what the Tapestry meant in the context of its time, at the start of the last millennium.
The momentous story it tells is that of one of the turning-points in English and European history, the struggle for the succession to the English throne which culminated in the Battle of Hastings in the fateful year of 1066. The version told is that of the Normans who commissioned it - of Harold's perjury and its dreadful price, death and defeat in battle. Yet the sympathies of the English hands that designed and created it are equally evident. And the Tapestry itself is so close to the events it describes, and portrays them in such vivid detail,as to make it in its own right a historical source of the first order, not only for the political crisis of 1064-66 but also for the social history of eleventh-century life.
This book presents a full-colour reproduction of the entire Tapestry, with a detailed commentary alongside each episode, equipping the reader to follow the story blow by blow and this marvellous work of art step by step. In addition, a preliminary study sets the Tapestry in its artistic, cultural and historical context.
The late Lucien Musset, Emeritus Professor of the University of Caen, studied the Tapestry of nearby Bayeux for nearly fifty years. This erudite but highly readable survey distils a lifetime's scholarship into a wise and impeccably researched synthesis which enables the modern reader to appreciate what the Tapestry meant in the context of its time, at the start of the last millennium.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
4 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Lucien Musset
17 books1 followerLucien Musset was a French historian, specializing in the Duchy of Normandy and the history of the Vikings.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 28, 2025
-This was a gift from my husband some years ago.
I have opened the book many times. It seems I continually see something new on the detail of every panel of the Tapestry.
The Bayeux Tapestry, is an 11th-century embroidery, that depicts the Norman conquest of England in 1066, specifically the events leading up to and including the Battle of Hastings, and is now displayed in Bayeux, Normandy, France.
While the exact creators are unknown, it is believed to have been made in England, potentially around 1070, shortly after the Norman conquest.
Although the exquisite detailed embroidery is almost childlike figuratively,
the battle scenes are quite brutal pictorialy.
The Battle of Hastings, fought on October 14, 1066, was a bloody, all-day battle that ended with the defeat of King Harold II of England by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy.
The famous death depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry is that of Harold Godwinson, the Anglo-Saxon King of England, during the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Tapestry shows him being struck down by an arrow, and the inscription reads, "Here King Harold is killed".
The battle marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule in England after more than 600 years and established the French-speaking Normans as the new rulers. Harold was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England and died in the battle.
The Bayeux Tapestry Museum will be closed to the public for renovation from September 1st, 2025, and is scheduled to reopen in October 2027.
I have opened the book many times. It seems I continually see something new on the detail of every panel of the Tapestry.
The Bayeux Tapestry, is an 11th-century embroidery, that depicts the Norman conquest of England in 1066, specifically the events leading up to and including the Battle of Hastings, and is now displayed in Bayeux, Normandy, France.
While the exact creators are unknown, it is believed to have been made in England, potentially around 1070, shortly after the Norman conquest.
Although the exquisite detailed embroidery is almost childlike figuratively,
the battle scenes are quite brutal pictorialy.
The Battle of Hastings, fought on October 14, 1066, was a bloody, all-day battle that ended with the defeat of King Harold II of England by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy.
The famous death depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry is that of Harold Godwinson, the Anglo-Saxon King of England, during the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Tapestry shows him being struck down by an arrow, and the inscription reads, "Here King Harold is killed".
The battle marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule in England after more than 600 years and established the French-speaking Normans as the new rulers. Harold was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England and died in the battle.
The Bayeux Tapestry Museum will be closed to the public for renovation from September 1st, 2025, and is scheduled to reopen in October 2027.
May 12, 2019
Early in our marriage Tom and I went to France and one of the places he was determined to go was Bayeux. You know, so we could see the tapestry.
"The what?" I said, which is how Tom found out my utter lack of English/French historical knowledge.
We toured it just ahead of a pack of English schoolchildren on a field trip. As I read the captions and followed the story this wonderful piece of art told, I became a fan just like Tom. I've never forgotten that experience.
Naturally I was dying to read this book which "presents a full-colour reproduction of the entire Tapestry, with a detailed commentary alongside each episode, equipping the reader to follow the story blow by blow and this marvellous work of art step by step."
I received this as an anonymous Christmas gift (lucky, lucky me!). I read it quite leisurely and it was everything I hoped for and more. Highly recommended.
"The what?" I said, which is how Tom found out my utter lack of English/French historical knowledge.
We toured it just ahead of a pack of English schoolchildren on a field trip. As I read the captions and followed the story this wonderful piece of art told, I became a fan just like Tom. I've never forgotten that experience.
Naturally I was dying to read this book which "presents a full-colour reproduction of the entire Tapestry, with a detailed commentary alongside each episode, equipping the reader to follow the story blow by blow and this marvellous work of art step by step."
I received this as an anonymous Christmas gift (lucky, lucky me!). I read it quite leisurely and it was everything I hoped for and more. Highly recommended.
July 29, 2013
This book goes through the Bayeux tapestry "frame-by-frame" (to use an anachronistic but apt reference), with images of each section. It also provides a brief and helpful overview of the historical context behind the work, and it discusses how the tapestry's depictions match or don't match the historical record, and the ambiguity and hidden meanings of the imagery.
The book's thesis is that the Bayeux Tapestry is more even-handed than other roughly contemporary accounts of the Norman Conquest, and does not take a side in the controversies that surround the depicted events (e.g., the exact nature of Harold's treason). It shows the events but is vague and open-ended rather than specific and accusatory. I've read other books that say the tapestry has an English or Norman perspective, and don't have the scholarly knowledge to say which is the truth. This book's analysis seemed plausible to an amateur!
I have never seen the Bayeux Tapestry, but this is a very strong second-hand experience. The sections where the tapestry moves into a battle scene is particularly vivid-- it truly seems to be in motion. Check out this book if you like medieval art or history.
The book's thesis is that the Bayeux Tapestry is more even-handed than other roughly contemporary accounts of the Norman Conquest, and does not take a side in the controversies that surround the depicted events (e.g., the exact nature of Harold's treason). It shows the events but is vague and open-ended rather than specific and accusatory. I've read other books that say the tapestry has an English or Norman perspective, and don't have the scholarly knowledge to say which is the truth. This book's analysis seemed plausible to an amateur!
I have never seen the Bayeux Tapestry, but this is a very strong second-hand experience. The sections where the tapestry moves into a battle scene is particularly vivid-- it truly seems to be in motion. Check out this book if you like medieval art or history.
Want to read
August 16, 2015I just received this. It is beautiful. And now the question is: When?
June 25, 2017
A fascinating and thorough look into the creation, purpose, artistry, and longevity of the Bayeux Tapestry. Musset organizes his research well and presents several hypotheses regarding the creation and transference of the tapestry in Norman times, debunking some and supporting others. In addition, the book contains beautiful and enlarged pictures of the individual panel scenes accompanied by an explanation of the accuracy, meaning, and action of each. A fantastic book!
July 4, 2021
This is part of my husband's ancestry. I bought this book for him for Father's Day 2020.
I admit I also read this book and it is nothing short of wonderful and breathtaking illustrations along with the history of The Bayeux Tapestry.
This goes frame by frame of the tapestry. Very descriptive and informative.
I admit I also read this book and it is nothing short of wonderful and breathtaking illustrations along with the history of The Bayeux Tapestry.
This goes frame by frame of the tapestry. Very descriptive and informative.
December 5, 2014
Beautiful.
I'm not sure how else to describe the tapestry but simply, beautiful. I only hope one day I can see it in person and marvel at this complex work of art that set out to tell the story of one of the most important events in the history of the world.
The author breaks down the tapestry into sections, translating its text and adding additional details from a variety of sources - both contemporary in Harold's time and contemporary in our own. A variety of works are cited to provide as many facts and theories as are available.
One issue I take is the author seems convinced that Harold was guilty of usurping the crown of England. He uses the word 'perjure' several times in regards to Harold. However, every other book on the subject indicates we simply do not and will not be able to know what was said as Edward lay dying. Nor can we know what Harold was really swearing to William during his time in Normandy.
I desperately wish we knew more about this amazing work of art. To know the who, where, when and why would in itself answer so many other questions. The answers really are all right there in plain sight, stitched for all to see. We simply don't know how to really read what they are telling us.
I'm not sure how else to describe the tapestry but simply, beautiful. I only hope one day I can see it in person and marvel at this complex work of art that set out to tell the story of one of the most important events in the history of the world.
The author breaks down the tapestry into sections, translating its text and adding additional details from a variety of sources - both contemporary in Harold's time and contemporary in our own. A variety of works are cited to provide as many facts and theories as are available.
One issue I take is the author seems convinced that Harold was guilty of usurping the crown of England. He uses the word 'perjure' several times in regards to Harold. However, every other book on the subject indicates we simply do not and will not be able to know what was said as Edward lay dying. Nor can we know what Harold was really swearing to William during his time in Normandy.
I desperately wish we knew more about this amazing work of art. To know the who, where, when and why would in itself answer so many other questions. The answers really are all right there in plain sight, stitched for all to see. We simply don't know how to really read what they are telling us.
April 8, 2014
Musset succeeds in balancing images and writing in his scholarly account of The Bayeux Tapestry, a magnificent embroidered piece of art! Few professors can boast his resume and the scope of his mastery on the subject is evident. Well-researched, Musset presents various scholars perspectives on the meaning of each section. Perhaps issues of translation resulted in wordy less fluent sections of the descriptive narrative. Nonetheless, it should be easy enough for a high school students to follow along with the aid of a teacher. It would be a fine choice in any school library or classroom.
February 15, 2017
Really great information about the amazing tapestry, but there was a major problem with the editing and/or translation in the copy I have. There were literally errors on every page and they were very distracting. I bought it at the museum's gift shop, so buyer beware.
January 3, 2014
Very interesting book about the tapestry. I learned a lot and was so glad to be able to see the tapestry in person.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews