Norman

Women

From Norman times until the Twentieth Century, women were seen as the home makers. Written records of women in the past are very few, but items like the Bayeux Tapestry are evidence of their skills and hidden contribution to history.

The Bayeux Tapestry is stitched not woven, and is really an embroidery. Embroidery was taught in royal and noble households, and in monasteries.

Fine bone needles were used, threaded with wool. Wool seems a rather simple material when other embroidery work was done with silks, gold and silver thread and jewels.

The ladies' brilliantly coloured, painstaking embroidering of hangings, flags, pennants, tabards and clothes gave magnificence to all occasions connected with church, battlefield and tournament. .

Are there any women in the Bayeux Tapestry?

Click the picture for an answer.