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The Bayeux Tapestry, often celebrated as the most iconic medieval artwork, intricately narrates the events leading to the 1066 Norman conquest of England while also presenting a historical mystery. Despite its fame, the identity of its creator remains unknown, though recent research has shed light on another aspect of this remarkable piece.
Stretching 68.3 meters (224 feet), the tapestry vividly illustrates the moment William, Duke of Normandy, and his forces defeat Harold Godwinson (Harold II), the final Anglo-Saxon king of England, during the Battle of Hastings. While there is debate about the accuracy of the tapestry’s depiction of Harold extracting an arrow from his eye, archaeologists have recently confirmed the location of Harold’s residence in Bosham, England, as portrayed in the tapestry.
Using both traditional methods and modern technology, the research team identified the site of Harold’s palace, which is depicted in the tapestry during two key moments: a lavish feast before his voyage to France and his return just before the battle. Their findings were published on January 9 in The Antiquaries Journal.
Dr. Duncan Wright, the study’s lead author and senior lecturer in medieval archaeology at Newcastle University, expressed excitement about being able to locate a real-life site depicted in the tapestry. He noted, “We often just think of (the Bayeux Tapestry) as a piece of artwork, but it’s depicting events and places.”
The co-author of the study, Oliver Creighton, a professor of archaeology at the University of Exeter, highlighted the challenges of finding archaeological remains from this era. Residences of high status were typically constructed of timber, which has not survived, and the Norman Conquest likely obliterated many traces of the preceding Anglo-Saxon culture.
This discovery not only illuminates the life of the last Anglo-Saxon king but also offers a unique glimpse into a pivotal moment in England’s history.
Uncovering Clues from the Past
While Bosham is mentioned in the Bayeux Tapestry, the exact location of Harold’s residence remained unclear. Over time, archaeologists speculated that a large 17th-century house in the current village might have been built over the original palace.
To verify this theory, researchers employed various techniques, including assessments of the existing structure, ground-penetrating radar to locate buried remains, and a review of data from a 2006 excavation at the site.
Creighton remarked, “People often think of archaeology as being all about digging. … But it’s a jigsaw puzzle that uses many different sources.”
Surveys revealed two previously unknown medieval buildings within the house and garden. A key clue for dating the site was a latrine discovered during the 2006 excavation. This feature had been overlooked initially, but recent research has shown that elite residences from the Anglo-Saxon period often included toilets.
Moreover, the site’s closeness to a church aligns with findings that high-status Anglo-Saxon homes were frequently located near places of worship. Harold’s palace was situated adjacent to an important Anglo-Saxon church in Bosham.
“The combination of residences and churches around the year 1000 illustrates how the aristocracy began to showcase their status to each other,” Wright explained. He leads the Where Power Lies project, which systematically investigates power centers from the late Anglo-Saxon to Norman periods.
Harold’s palace, characterized by its moated, enclosed design and various support buildings, has been one of seven sites examined under the Where Power Lies initiative, according to Creighton. The Bosham site stands out due to its connection with the Bayeux Tapestry.
“The Bayeux Tapestry is crucial to our understanding of Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest,” noted Rory Naismith, a professor of early medieval English history at the University of Cambridge who was not part of the study. “It offers insights into daily life, including the layout of Harold’s hall at Bosham, and helps us comprehend why this tapestry was created.”
Naismith added, “This study enables us to connect historical descriptions with visual representations from the time, creating a rare opportunity to reconstruct the past.”
Within the Bosham house, archaeologists identified several original medieval features, including a central stone wall, timber roof beams, and a stairwell likely repurposed from an earlier structure. The study’s authors believe these elements may not belong to Harold’s palace but plan to conduct wood dating to verify their origins.
While the existing house’s exterior remains private, Creighton pointed out that Harold had multiple residences and frequently moved between estates. However, it’s likely that Bosham was his preferred location due to its size and opulence.
Dr. Caitlin Ellis, an associate professor in medieval Nordic history at the University of Oslo who did not participate in the study, expressed enthusiasm about the research. “This exciting discovery synthesizes various types of evidence—art, archaeology, and medieval texts—showing that there’s still much to learn about this period,” she said. “The Bayeux Tapestry represents a crucial moment in English history, marked by both change and continuity.”
