There are two takes on the issue of who ordered the creation of the Bayeux Tapestry. The original theory is that it was ordered by Queen Matilda, Williams wife. The modern thought is that it was ordered by William's half-brother, Odo, bishop of Bayeux. Currently most believe the Odo theory. Below are the two theories.
The Matilda Theory:
The Matilda theory is the original theory of how the tapestry came about. This theory is been almost completely discredited by those that believe in the Odo Theory. David J. Bernstein claims that the amount of evidence to support the Matilda theory is "absolutely none." (28) It appears to be based on tradition more than anything else. Soon after the battle is when the tapestry is said to have been constructed. John Collingwood Bruce suggests that "Assisted by English ladies, as well as by those of her own court, Matilda, the wife of the Conqueror, probably at this time contructed the Tapestry which for many ages was preserved in the Bathedral of Bayeux." (2) He goes on to describe her as a "loving wife sympathiz[ing] with him in all tastes." This is the typical interpretation of Matilda's construction of the Tapestry. (3)
The Odo Theory:
Near the end of 1803 people began to become interested in the history of the tapestry. At that time "the vexing question of origins was much debated by students of the work." (Bernstein 29) Many scholars at the time were set on the idea of the Matilda theory. One scholar, by the name of Delauney, came up with a new theory. He "suggested that since the work had been displayed, despite its indelicacies, in the cathedral of Bayeux, it might have been given to that cathedral by a cleric whose morals were not immaculate." (Bernstein 29) William's half-brother and Bishop of Bayuex, Odo, seemed to fit that description.
According to Bernstein, there are 3 main clues that link Odo to the Tapestry. They are:
1. "His prominence in the Tapestry's depiction of events in contrast to the near silence in other sources."
2. "The identification in the Tapestry of otherwise historically unimportant men who shared one thing in common, feudal tenancy from Odo."
3. "The Tapestry's unique connection of the famous oath with Bayeux."
Clue one speaks of the fact that Bishop Odo appears at important times in the tapestry, while according to other descriptions of the battle, he rarely plays a part. Clue two speaks for itself, while in clue three Bernstein is discussing the fact that "only the Tapestry associated Harold's oath with Bayeux-William of Poitiers placing it at Bonneville and Orderic Vitalis at Rouen. Bayeux of course, was Bishops Odo's cathedral city." (30)
Works Cited
25 March 2001
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