The Bayeux Tapestry Replica at UNG
A key artwork at the University of North Georgia (UNG), the Bayeux Tapestry Replica is the only full-size replica in the United States of the famous embroidery that visually captures the story of the Battle of Hastings, a military conflict that turned the tide of England’s history in 1066.
The replica was commissioned by Judge Edd Wheeler from Tucker, Georgia, who donated it to UNG in 2014 to fulfill an educational mission. Upon arrival at North Georgia, the replica underwent cleaning and restoration by Visual Arts faculty. It is carefully preserved at the Department of Visual Arts, under the tutelage of the College of Arts and Letters.
The replica is 224 feet long and it is hand-painted in acrylic on cotton canvas. It took the artist, Margaret ReVille, eleven months to complete in 1986-87. The imagery faithfully reproduces the original embroidery housed at the Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux in France. It has also been judged as the most accurate copy in the world.
2024 Bayeux Tapestry
Replica Exhibit
Free and Open to the Public
- When: September 14 - 19
- Exhibition Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Location: Convocation Center
For Information, contact: Ana Pozzi Harris
About the Bayeux Tapestry
The original Bayeux Tapestry visually tells the story of the Battle of Hastings, which took place on 14 October 1066 in the south coast of England. At this conflict, the Norman-French army of William, Duke of Normandy defeated an English army led by Anglo-Saxon king Harold Godwinson. The battle set in motion the Norman conquest of England, an event which profoundly affected European history.
The Bayeux Tapestry is regarded as a historical document because it is believed to have been created soon after the battle, thus communicating the attitudes of the French conquerors towards their own achievements. The work is also an excellent example of Romanesque art style and visual storytelling which brilliantly communicates expressive figures, animals, medieval buildings, vessels, weapons, military gear, and combat strategy. It is also a uniquely well-preserved Medieval embroidered textile.
Some of the momentous changes that followed the Battle of Hastings were:
- A feudal tenurial system headed by a small and powerful ruling class of Norman magnates was established in England.
- Property was documented in writing through an extensive survey of the land (the Domesday Book).
- The English architectural landscape changed due to the widespread construction of motte-and-bailey castles, monasteries, and parish churches. These were built in the Romanesque architectural style, which in England was called "Norman." This was the physical evidence of the new rulers' power.
- With the Norman rulers in power, the English language absorbed many French words. The effects of the conquest are still evident in today’s English.
Key Figures & Scenes from the Replica
Detail of scene 1: Edward, king of England (1003-1066), sits on the throne imparting instructions to Harold Godwinson (1022-1066), Earl of Wessex and Edward’s brother-in-law. Edward was crowned in 1042 and was childless. Having spent thirty years in exile in Normandy because he had been banished by Danish conquerors, he turned to William, Duke of Normandy (1028-1087) and his first cousin once removed to succeed him.
Detail of scene 9: Harold, identified by a hawk in the early tapestry scenes, arrives in Normandy and is headed to see William.
Detail of scene 17: Harold makes an oath to Duke William of Normandy, presumably to aid him in securing the English throne. He stands between two shrines with his hands on holy relics.
Detail of scene 20: Shortly after Harold’s return to England, Edward dies. His wife and queen consort, Edith of Wessex (d. 1066) and sister of Harold, is by his side.
Detail of scene 21: Harold sits on the throne holding symbols of royal power: the crown, an orb, and a scepter. Next to him is Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury before the Norman conquest (d. 1072). Other men bear witness.
Detail of scene 23: Upon hearing of Harold’s news, Duke Willian, sitting on his throne, orders his men to begin building a fleet of ships and prepare for battle.
Scene 26: The Latin text reads: “Here Duke William crossed over the sea in a great ship.” Packed from bow to stern with provisions, men, and horses, the fleet sets sail.
Detail of scene 31: Upon arrival in Hastings, the Normans camp and eat. In a semicircular table, Odo, Bishop of Bayeux (d. 1097) and William’s half-brother, blesses the meal.
Scene 38: The Latin text reads: “Here Duke William exhorts his soldiers to prepare themselves manfully.” The Normans charge on horseback armed with spears and protected by helmets and shields.
Detail of scene 40: The Normans rush toward the huscarls, King Harold’s personal troops. The Normans fight on horseback while the Anglo-Saxons fight packed, on foot. A storm of javelins fills the air.
Scene 43: The Latin text reads: “Here fell together… the English and French in battle.” Intense fighting and heavy casualties occur in both armies.
Detail of scene 47: The Latin text reads “Here King Harold was slain.” In the next, and last scene, the English flee.
About the Replica
At its home at UNG, the Bayeux Tapestry Replica achieves the educational mission intended by Judge Wheeler. Faculty and students from academic departments in the College of Arts and Letters directly interact and engage with a work of art, inquiring about the cultural, historical, political, linguistic, artistic, and military context of a heroic medieval story.
The replica enables the UNG community to directly observe a world very different from our own and to ask questions about how language, art, architecture, history, military strategy, and politics have changed and evolved over time.
By studying and preserving the painted replica, we gain new perspectives about the past, the present, and about ourselves.
Visual Arts department faculty and Christopher Jespersen, Ph.D., Dean of College of Arts and Letters, install UNG replica in its first exhibition in 2015.
UNG faculty member leading students in a discussion of the replica, 2015.