More About The Tapestries
Tapestries were used as decoration and for warmth.
With the invention of a new type of loom in the 14th
century, tapestries became a common and popular art form.
Part of the weaving was done by hand in a process that is
similar to darning. Most tapestries were created in
"luxury" workshops, where items were produced
for the nobility to commemorate important events or
depict favorite stories. Tapestries were a common way of
telling stories from both mythology and daily life.
The Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux tapestry, dating from the 11th century, tells
the story of an important battle, the conquest of England
by William the Conqueror and the Normans in 1066. It is
not really a tapestry, but a strip of linen cloth
embroidered with woollen thread. It is 50 centimeters
high and over 70 meters in length. Most art from this
period is of a religious nature, but this astonishing
record of history, a long ribbon of cloth, depicts
secular historical events. The end of the cloth is
missing and therefore we can only conjecture about the
way the story ends.
The Bayeux offers the first illustration of a horse
being used as a work animal. Much controversy surrounds
the commissioning and dating of this remarkable artifact.
Unicorn Tapestries
Another famous set of tapestries is known as the Unicorn
series. They tell the story of the hunt and capture of a
unicorn. There are seven panels, although there is
controversy as to whether they were originally intended
as a set. Hidden in the tapestries are clues to the
original ownership. 
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