[Illustration: HAROLD ENTHRONED. (_See_ p. 6.) _Frontispiece_]] VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM DEPARTMENT OF TEXTILES GUIDE TO THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY BY F. F. L. BIRRELL LONDON: PRINTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF HIS MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE, 1921 PUBLICATION NO. 100T. _Crown Copyright Reserved._ _First printed, October, 1914._ _Reprinted-April, 1921._ _This Guide may be obtained directly from the Victoria & Albert Museum, price 1s. 0d. net (by post 1s. 2d. net). It may also be obtained either through any bookseller or directly from H.M. Stationery Office at the following addresses: Imperial House, Kingsway, London (W.C. 2.), and 28, Abingdon Street (S.W. 1); 37, Peter Street, Manchester; 1, St. Andrew’s Crescent, Cardiff; 23, Forth Street, Edinburgh; or from E. Ponsonby, Ltd., 116, Grafton Street, Dublin._ C81 (7614) Wt. 30446/AM2362/637 6/21 2M Harrow (Gp. 51) [Illustration] PREFATORY NOTE. Although the Bayeux Tapestry is not itself included among the collections of the Museum, its surpassing interest to English students and the existence of two copies here amply justify the appearance of this guide. A full-size photographic reproduction, coloured by hand, is exhibited on the walls of the gallery numbered 79 on the first floor. Another full-size photograph has been mounted on rollers for the convenience of studenmay be seen on application at the Students’ Room of the Department of Textiles, adjoining Room 123 on the first floor. _May, 1921._ CECIL H. SMITH. NOTE TO THE FIRST EDITION. The preparation of this guide has been entrusted to Mr. F. F. L. Birrell. Its chief aim is to present in a handy form the most important of the ascertained facts regarding the Tapestry. Matters which belong to the realm of conjecture, and even of controversy, have also been touched upon. Students wishing to pursue these further are recommended to consult the authorities quoted in the guide. I have read through the proofs, and must accept responsibility for such errors as may be found. _October, 1914._ A. F. K. NOTE TO THE SECOND EDITION. When this guide-book was first printed in 1914, its author, Mr. Francis Birrell, was for the time being a member of the staff of the Department of Textiles. On the publication of a second edition, they wish to express their regret that circumstances should have frustrated their hopes that he would remain as a colleague on the permanent staff. _April, 1921._ TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY 1 THE SCENES DESCRIBED 4