Bayeux Tapestry
Understanding the Strengths and Limitations of Historical Artefacts
When investigating historical artefacts it is important to identify not only their
content, but also their origin, purpose and context. Historians must evaluate artefacts
for meaning, point of view, values and attitudes, to identify some of their strengths
and limitations as accurate records of history. (VELS level 5: Historical reasoning and interpretation)
At a very basic level, when examining an artefact, a historian needs to consider two
basic questions: who created them; and for what purpose they were created.
Read the document: The Bayeux Tapestry: Facts and Theories.
This document raises the debate about who created the tapestry.
Questions to consider:
Did the Embroiderer’s Guild make the Bayeux Tapestry?
Or, did Queen Matilda, William the Conqueror’s wife, make the Bayeux Tapestry?
Is it important to identify who made the tapestry?
Is it important to identify who commissioned the tapestry?
Would the tapestry have told a different story if commissioned or made by a relative
or close ally of Harold Godwineson, or another Anglo-Saxon?
From which point of view does the tapestry depict the battle?
Task:
Using your knowledge of the Bayeux Tapestry, explain why (180 – 250 words):
It important to bear in mind the point of view being expressed, and who
was the creator of an historical artefact, when using an artefact as
“evidence” of a record of historical events?
Include specific references to the Bayeux Tapestry in your written explanation
Rubric: Understanding the Strengths and Limitations of Historical Artefacts
Not Shown
Demonstration of
understanding how
bias may influence the
validity of an historical
artefact
Satisfactory
Good
Little understanding Some understanding of Sound understanding of
shown or explanation not
bias shown; explanation ofbias shown; explanation
is not of sufficient
sufficient in length
sufficient in length
length
Inclusion of
Little attempt to use
Some use of references, Sound use of reference
relevant reference
relevant references to although some of these
to the tapestry; most
to the Bayeux Tapestry
support explanation are not relevant
references are relevant
Grammar: Correct
spelling, punctuation
More than 6 errors
4 – 6 errors
No more than 3 errors
and sentence structure
VELS Historical Reasoning and Interpretation
Progression point 4.5: Development of appropriate research questions
Progression point 4.5: Identification of strengths and weakness of sources of evidence
Progression point 4.75: Analysis of the context and purpose of sources of evidence
Cathrine Ann Scott
Excellent
Solid understanding of
bias demonstrated; written
explanation is of sufficient
length
Use of relevant references
provides solid support to
written explanation
No errors