Editing Bayeux Tapestry (section)

== Historical accuracy ==
The Bayeux Tapestry was probably commissioned by the [[House of Normandy]] and essentially depicts a Norman viewpoint. However, Harold is shown as brave, and his soldiers are not belittled. Throughout, William is described as ''dux'' ("duke"), whereas Harold, also called ''dux'' up to his coronation, is subsequently called ''rex'' ("king").<ref name="hicks" /> The fact that the narrative extensively covers Harold's activities in Normandy (in 1064) indicates that the intention was to show a strong relationship between that expedition and the Norman Conquest starting two years later. It is for this reason that the tapestry is generally seen by modern scholars as an [[apologia]] for the Norman Conquest.

[[File:Bayeux Tapestry scene29-30-31 Harold coronation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|[[Coronation]] of Harold, seemingly by Archbishop [[Stigand]]]]
The tapestry's narration seems to place stress on Harold's oath to William, although its rationale is not made clear.<ref name="musset" /> Norman sources claim that the English succession was being pledged to William, but English sources give varied accounts.<ref name="musset" /> Today it is thought that the Norman sources are to be preferred.<ref name="bates">{{cite encyclopedia |author=Bates, David | publisher = Oxford University Press | encyclopedia= Oxford Dictionary of National Biography | title= William I  | year = 2004 | url = http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/29448?docPos=2 |doi= 10.1093/ref:odnb/29448 }} {{ODNBsub}}</ref> Both the tapestry and Norman sources<ref name="poitiers">William of Poitiers: ''Gesta Willelmi ducis Normannorum et regis Anglorum'', {{circa|1071}}. [[Orderic Vitalis]] ''Historia Ecclesiastica'', {{circa|1123-1131}}.</ref> name [[Stigand]], the excommunicated archbishop of Canterbury, as the man who crowned Harold, possibly to discredit Harold's kingship; one English source<ref>[[Florence of Worcester]] / [[John of Worcester]] ''Chronicon ex Chronicis'' completed {{circa|1140}}.</ref> suggests that he was crowned by [[Ealdred (bishop)|Ealdred]], archbishop of York, and favoured by the papacy, making Harold's position as legitimate king more secure. Contemporary scholarship has not decided the matter, although it is generally thought that Ealdred performed the coronation.<ref name="gibbs">{{cite book|last=Gibbs-Smith|first=Charles|title=The Bayeux Tapestry|year=1965|publisher=Phaedon Press|chapter=Notes on the Plates|editor=Frank Stenton}}</ref><ref name="cowdrey">{{cite encyclopedia |author=Cowdrey, H. E. J. |author-link=H. E. J. Cowdrey | publisher = Oxford University Press | encyclopedia= Oxford Dictionary of National Biography | title= Stigand (d. 1072) | year = 2004 | url = http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/26523 |doi= 10.1093/ref:odnb/26523 }} {{ODNBsub}}</ref>

Although political propaganda or personal emphasis may have somewhat distorted the historical accuracy of the story, the Bayeux Tapestry constitutes a visual record of medieval arms, apparel, and other objects unlike any other artifact surviving from this period. There is no attempt at continuity between scenes, either in individuals' appearance or clothing. The knights carry shields, but show no system of hereditary [[coats of arms]]—the beginnings of modern heraldic structure were in place, but would not become standard until the middle of the 12th century.<ref name="musset" /> It has been noted that the warriors are depicted fighting with bare hands, while other sources indicate the general use of gloves in battle and hunt.

The American historian [[Stephen D. White]], in a study of the tapestry,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acls.org/research/fellow.aspx?cid=026DBD01-5050-DE11-97CE-000C293A51F7|title=ACLS American Council of Learned Societies - www.acls.org - Results|website=www.acls.org|access-date=17 May 2019|archive-date=31 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731171115/https://www.acls.org/research/fellow.aspx?cid=026DBD01-5050-DE11-97CE-000C293A51F7}}</ref> has "cautioned against reading it as an English or Norman story, showing how the animal fables visible in the borders may instead offer a commentary on the dangers of conflict and the futility of pursuing power".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weeklystandard.com/micah-mattix/prufrock-the-meaning-of-the-bayeux-tapestry-when-israeli-prisoners-translated-the-hobbit-and-the-french-anti-keynes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205201741/https://www.weeklystandard.com/micah-mattix/prufrock-the-meaning-of-the-bayeux-tapestry-when-israeli-prisoners-translated-the-hobbit-and-the-french-anti-keynes|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 December 2018|title=Prufrock: The Meaning of the Bayeux Tapestry, When Israeli Prisoners Translated 'The Hobbit,' and the French 'Anti-Keynes'|date=25 January 2018|website=The Weekly Standard}}</ref>