Bayeux Tapestry Mystery and New Findings
As reported by Canberra Times, a piece of the Medieval Bayeux Tapestry has been uncovered at the Schleswig-Holstein State Archive in northern Germany.
Bayeux Tapestry Historical Embroidery Artefact
The Norman conquest art found in Germany is an embroidered tapestry, which illustrates the Norman invasion of England led by the Duke of Normandy in 1066. The tapestry is filled with vivid details – sea crossings on longships, long horse-led processions, recognisable shields and coats of arms, encounters with mythical creatures, and scenes from the battlefield.
Although only a fragment has been discovered, the entire Romanesque lost medieval textile from the Northern German archive is a singular example of Anglo-Norman artistry, measuring approximately 230 feet in length and one-and-a-half feet in width. It is recognized as a UNESCO Memory of the World heritage item.
Textile Conservation in Historical Archives
The recently discovered piece belonged to the estate of Karl Schlabow (1891-1984), a textile archaeologist at the archive. In 1941, the Schutzstaffel (SS) organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party ordered German scientists from “Deutsches Ahnenerbe” to re-measure the Bayeux Tapestry in Schleswig. Records suggest that the lost medieval textile in the Northern German archive was taken from the tapestry’s underside during World War II for racial and ideological reasons. More details will be revealed in a press conference scheduled for March 25, as mentioned by Tages-Anzeiger.
What Happens to the Fragment?
Since the Bayeux Tapestry historical embroidery artefact is deemed French cultural property, the previously missing piece is expected to be returned to the French Republic this year. France also plans to close the public display of the tapestry for two years due to conservation starting August 31, 2025.
Image Courtesy – Britannica
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