Five key scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry, and the story they tell

The Bayeux Tapestry, an extraordinary 70-meter-long embroidered cloth dating back nearly a millennium, offers a vivid visual narrative of the Norman conquest of England and the pivotal Battle of Hastings in 1066. This ancient artifact, currently making a rare appearance at the British Museum after over 900 years, presents a medieval "game of thrones" as William the Conqueror vied for the English throne against King Harold.

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He's being given arms and armaments by Duke William, and this is really important because the subtext of the first half of the tapestry is essentially to present Harold as a heroic figure.

Dr. David Musgrove, a co-author on the tapestry's history, guides us through five crucial scenes that unfold the epic story. The tapestry begins by portraying Harold, England's most powerful earl, in a positive light during his 1064 or 65 mission to Normandy. "He's being given arms and armaments by Duke William, and this is really important because the subtext of the first half of the tapestry is essentially to present Harold as a heroic figure," Dr. Musgrove explains.

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He actually looks physically contorted and conflicted. At least that's my take on it. He looks as if he's kind of a bit anguished about having to make this oath.

A pivotal moment, considered the most significant by Dr. Musgrove, depicts Harold making an oath while touching holy relics, believed to be swearing allegiance to William as King Edward's successor. "He actually looks physically contorted and conflicted," Dr. Musgrove observes, suggesting Harold appears anguished. This scene marks Harold's dramatic shift from hero to "zero" in the tapestry's narrative.

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This scene is basically where Harold goes from hero in the first part to zero in the second part.

Following King Edward the Confessor's death in January 1066, Harold claims the throne, a move depicted as a betrayal of his oath, turning him into the "villain of the piece." The appearance of Halley's Comet, visible only every 75 years, is shown as a dire omen following Harold's alleged betrayal, with onlookers pointing to the sky, signifying impending doom. The tapestry visually communicates that Harold's coronation would lead to a disastrous outcome, which indeed followed.

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So he's gone against this supposed oath, and this is where he becomes the villain of the piece. This is a really important moment.