The Death of Harold Godwinson
Was King Harold really killed by an arrow to the eye?
According to most chroniclers, Harold Godwinson was killed by an arrow in his eye, but a close examination of the Bayeux tapestry tells another story.
The Bayeux tapestry is a 203-foot long embroidery that tells the story of the Norman invasion of England in comic-book style. Created within twenty years of the invasion, it is the single most authoritative source for the events occurring around 1066. One of the major events told in the tapestry is the death of Harold Godwinson at the battle of Hastings.
According to legend, Harold Godwinson died when an arrow pierced his eye, and a quick examination of the tapestry seems to confirm that story. However, a closer study of the illustration in question reveals two major problems with the theory. First, there is strong evidence to suggest that the figure in question is not, in fact, being struck in the eye by an arrow. Looking closely at the figure, it can be seen that the arrow seems to be lodged in the top of his helmet and not in his eye. And even this may be the product of a Victorian restoration program to the tapestry. Earlier references to and sketches of the tapestry reveal the arrow to be even further away from the figure’s eye.
In two other places in the tapestry there are scenes of people being killed by arrows in their faces. In both cases, the arrow is drawn directly into the face and the figure is shown to either be in anguish or falling over dead. The supposed figure of Harold is upright and seems in no particular distress. Most of the evidences seem to suggest that this figure is actually pulling an arrow out of his helmet and has not suffered any kind of wound.
The second problem with the story is that the figure under discussion may not be King Harold anyway. It has long been assumed that this figure was Harold because the name Harold is embroidered directly over his head, but this probably has more to do with the space available for text than any attempt to match the name to the figure. If this figure were Harold, it would mean that he was placed third out of four in a group, which would be highly unusual.
More likely is that King Harold is the figure just to the right of the figure with the arrow in his helmet. This figure is being hacked down by a Norman Knight. Considering the purpose of that part of the Bayeux tapestry is to show the death of King Harold, it makes more sense for him to be the figure that is obviously dying. Also, this helps to explain the odd reports by some chroniclers who have Harold killed by an arrow and then hacked apart.
It is doubtful that we will ever know for sure what happened atop Senlac Hill in 1066, but in all probability, Harold Godwinson did not die with an arrow in his eye.
