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Essay / English History - 1238
English HistoryMany people may ask, "What is the Bayeux Tapestry?" In the following paragraphs, the importance of the Bayeux Tapestry will be recognized. First of all, it must be understood that this is not a Tapestry in the full sense of the term. It's an embroidery. It was constructed from eight separate pieces of linen that were pieced together to make up its length. It is approximately 70 meters long and half a meter wide. It's obvious that at one point it was longer, probably missing up to seven or eight meters. This is a tragedy because it may have answered many of the questions that are being debated today. It is generally accepted that Mgr Odo is the architect who commissioned the Bayeux Tapestry. It was designed and built quite soon after the battle of 1066. It was undoubtedly made to celebrate and record for posterity the events leading up to the battle and its aftermath. While it is reasonably certain that Bishop Odo commissioned the Tapestry, debate still reigns as to where it was built and by whom. It basically depends on allegiances. If you are French, you would like to believe that it is made in France. There are so many clues in its construction that indicate otherwise. While it is known as the Bayeux Tapestry in England, in France it is sometimes called the Queen Mathilde Tapestry or Queen Mathilde Tapestry. Matilda, it will be remembered, was William's wife. To deduce that she and she alone constructed this work of art defies all credibility. As Queen of England and Duchess of Normandy, she would never have had the time. Another factor that excludes it from the equation is that it does not appear there itself (although it may have been in the missing section). So if we exclude the construction undertaken in France, where was it carried out? Over the years the Tapestry has been studied by experts in the field and the unanimous opinion is that it was of English construction. Certain historical facts of the time and characteristics of the Tapestry indicate where it was made. After the battle of 1066, Bishop Odo was made Earl of Kent. This was partly because he was William's half-brother and secondly because William had a duty to repay the loyalty of his nobles..