Medieval Tapestries

Around 500AD, when Rome could no longer contain the fierce, Northern European, tribes, the Empire was replaced by much smaller ‘kingdoms’. Each one being ruled over by only the strongest warriors. The thousand years which followed are known as the Medieval period. However, despite the collapse of Rome, the Catholic Church continued to be a powerful institution, unifying all those kingdoms. Much of Rome’s previous riches were lost, but the Church did manage to salvage many aspects. The Church became the centre for learning during Medieval times, and many advances were made in the arts, as well as in science and medicine. The rich culture of the Medieval period eventually paving the way for many of the ideas which would mark the start of the Renaissance.

Historians believe small scale Tapestries were produced throughout the Medieval period across Europe. However, it was towards the end of the Medieval period, Tapestries did, somewhat ubiquitously, adorn the walls of the castles and churches throughout the Kingdoms. Tapestries were not only used in a propagandistic way, to narrate the stories of brave knights and reiterate the Christian teachings. Tapestries provided insulation and decoration for the wealthy. Hand stitched Medieval Tapestries were relatively course, in comparison to those created on a loom. However, the Tapestry process did allow the production of complex imagery on a vast scale. A lot of Medieval Tapestries were produced in sets, including at least ten pieces. A Tapestry would often be more than ten yards long, and up to five yards wide.

Medieval Tapestries were enriched with metal and silk threads and used as an ostentatious display of strength, for both the Church, and the powerful. Early in the fourteenth century, a substantial industry evolved, for the production of high quality Tapestries. This new surge of Tapestry production was assisted by the abundance of skilled weavers and the support of many local guilds, who actively encouraged large scale Tapestry production. Especially true in Northern France and the more southern regions of the Netherlands. During the ‘Hundred Year War’, from 1337 to 1453, Paris was considered the most influential producer of Tapestries in Europe. However, many Tapestry artists left France for Holland and Belgium during the unrest.

Unfortunately, few Medieval Tapestries managed to survive the war. However, one of the most famous Medieval Tapestry ever created did survive; The Bayeux Tapestry (Tapisserie de Bayeux). Completed in 1476, this Tapestry depicts and records the events which led up to the invasion of England in 1066. It also includes details of the invasion itself, which are most frequently referred to as ‘The Norman Conquests’. Originally, this fabulous example of Medieval Tapestry was hung in Bayeux Cathedral, Normandy. Today, the Bayeux Tapestry is displayed at a dedicated museum, situated in Bayeux. The Bayeux Tapestry is seventy meters long, although only fifty centimeters wide. A Medieval Tapestry considered greatly important, from a historical point of view. One single, accurate, reproduction was created during the Victorian era, in Reading, England.

The fourteen hundreds marked the beginning of the Renaissance period for many European countries. It was a period which would begin and end, at different times, for different countries. Hence, the Bayeux Tapestry is regarded as a Medieval Tapestry. The period between fourteen hundred and sixteen hundred is generally regarded as the Renaissance. It would mark a renewed interest in learning. Something which had declined during Medieval times, although had not been completely dismissed. Mainly, thanks to the Catholic Church. Because a Medieval Tapestry was usually a large scale creation, they often became obscured by furniture, or by the architectural design of the room. Therefore, difficult to understand.

This brought about a definitive change in the design of Tapestries, especially notable in the first half of the fifteenth century. More emphasis was placed upon the line and pattern of the Tapestry narrative, rather than its volume.

By the middle of the fifteenth century, a significant number of Tapestry workshops, mainly based in Northern France, were exporting Tapestries throughout the European countries. Today, we can step back in time and enjoy Medieval Tapestries in our own homes, including exerts from the Famous Bayeux Tapestry and others such as the Tree of Life tapestry. The Medieval period was an epic time of knights, gallantry, myths and legends. With the beautifully complex, colorful, scenes, which reflect the periods rich history, Medieval Tapestries make a wonderful addition to any home.

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