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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.
Comments
Apr 28, 2008 9:45 PM
Guest :
okay this is cool. (:
May 16, 2008 12:58 PM
Guest :
I need more about how he died then what the tapestry says.
May 17, 2008 5:11 AM
Joseph Allen McCullough :
The Bayeux Tapestry is the single best source of information about the
Battle of Hastings and the Death of Harold Godwinson. The problem lies in
the interpretation of the images. Most Norman sources are written long
after the event and are influenced by the tapestry. The only other
possibility, that is mentioned in at least one of the Norman sources is
that Harold was ridden down by Norman Cavalry, which started a general
route by the Saxons. It is said that Harold's body was thin hacked to
pieces before William or another Norman noble put a stop to this.
Oct 5, 2008 5:04 AM
Guest :
I have always wondered what kind of England would have been forged had
Harold won the battle of Senlac. He was a King of the people of England,
William was not. The treachery of his brother was a dreadful thing.
Somehow, I take this story personally.
Oct 22, 2008 12:09 PM
Guest :
i think he shot in the eye and then killed and sliced to death
Nov 20, 2008 1:40 PM
Guest :
someone said that King Harold was shot on the head.
So now, I'm
confused!
Well I haven't read all of it so I don't realy know if it
says that King Harold was shot on the head or not.
Nov 20, 2008 1:43 PM
Guest :
I felt sorry for Harold Godwineson because William Duke Of Norman ain't
supposed 2 take the crown! He was really evil! An by the way, Harold is
lost because he was exhausted after the Battle at Stamford Bridge. They got
to ran about 250 miles all the way to Hastings from Stamforg Bridge! How
dreadful!
Nov 23, 2008 8:32 AM
Guest :
Yeah, but the Bayeaux Tapestry is not always right. Show me proof! did he
die from an arrow in his head, beheaded by an axe or both of the ones above
and maybe even niether. It was kind of useful but i allready new all of
this so it needs to give more details.
Love Jammy
xxxxx
Dec 1, 2008 9:37 AM
Guest :
who killed harold godwinson . He didnt just die himself did he . Thank you
anyway. Please answer my question by the 10th december . Thankz
XXXXXXXX r!|-|@nn@|-|
Jan 1, 2009 3:22 PM
Guest :
it now seems unlikely he was killed by an arrow- Paul Hill's work has him
with a chest wound and a lance in the stomach, the chest wound being the
likely cause of death as a stomach wound can take days to kill you. The
knight responsible for hacking harold to pieces post mortem was deprived of
his booy in some reports, others that he was stripped of his title by
William. a decapitated body found in a wall in a church not far away is
rumoured to be the body of Harold
Oct 8, 2009 8:34 AM
Guest :
wow really interesting stuff for my gcse
11 Comments
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