Read these articles. Then answer questions 70 through 73.
The Bayeux Tapestry
A tapestry is a work of art made of woven
or embroidered material. Tapestries have
been made to show many important people,
places, and events. Most were created long
ago. By examining old tapestries, people
today can learn a great deal about life in the
past. Few tapestries hold as much information
as the Bayeux Tapestry. This amazing work
of art offers a colorful look at events that took
place almost a thousand years ago.
2 The Bayeux Tapestry is a narrow strip of
linen reaching 231 feet in length. That’s about
as long as six school buses! On this linen are
words and figures embroidered from eight
colors of yarn. These fit into about fifty scenes
showing important events in history. Words
have also been embroidered into some scenes
to explain what is happening. Some people
have noted that the tapestry looks like a giant
ancient comic book.
3 The scenes on the Bayeux Tapestry show
the events surrounding the Norman Conquest
of England. Beginning around 1064, a group of
people called Normans began making deals
with English leaders. The Norman leader,
Duke William, came to believe that he should
rule England. After a dispute with the English
king, Harold, William led an army of Normans
to attack England. In 1066, the Normans and
English met in the Battle of Hastings. After a
tough fight, the Normans won. They took over
England and forever changed its history.
4 The tapestry shows the major events that
took place during this time. Some scenes
show William and Harold meeting. Others
show knights and horses riding into battle.
The creators showed the horrors of the
fight and the English retreating at the end.
Although the existing material ends there,
people think there was probably more. Long
ago, there was likely another segment that
showed William becoming the new King of
England.
1
Looking at this great work of art shows
modern people how people viewed the
Normans and English. It also gives people
an idea of everyday life around 1066. The
weavers included many scenes of common
people at work and play. On the tops and
bottoms of many scenes are pictures of
animals such as fish and birds, and people
such as farmers and hunters. Some of the
images are strange and unexpected, such as a
shooting star and monsters from myths.
6 The Bayeux Tapestry provides a great deal
of information. It also carries some mysteries.
For example, nobody is certain who created
the artwork. At first, many people believed
that King William’s wife, Matilda, ordered
the art to be made. Then, people felt that
William’s brother Odo was the one who first
had the idea for the tapestry. This second
theory is more accepted today. Researchers
also are uncertain of exactly where the
tapestry was created. It was found in France,
but it matches most closely with embroidered
fabric styles used in England.
7 The Bayeux Tapestry is like no other
object from the distant past. It gives an
amazing overview of some of history’s most
important events. People use it today to
learn about the events as well as the way the
artists chose to represent them. The tapestry
can be seen on display at a special museum
in Bayeux in Normandy, a part of northern
France named after the Normans.
5
Session Four50
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Which details from “The Bayeux Tapestry” support the claim
70 that the tapestry is mysterious? Use information from the
article in your answer.
Write your answer in complete sentences.
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How is the author’s presentation in “The Bayeux Tapestry”
71 different from the author’s presentation in “The Överhogdal
Tapestry”? Use details from the articles to support your answer.
Write your answer in complete sentences.
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What is the central idea of “The Bayeux Tapestry”? Use at least
72 two details from the article to support your answer.
Write your answer in complete sentences.
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Session Four52
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Based on the two authors’ presentations of information, how are
73 the Bayeux Tapestry and the Överhogdal Tapestry alike? Use at
least three details from the articles to support your answer.
In your response, be sure to do the following:
• tell what the tapestries show
• tell how they are similar
• include at least three details to support your answer
Write your answer in complete sentences.
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Session Four54
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