Did Harold II take an arrow to the eye? We cannot be sure | Letters
Jane M Card, Tim Wicks and Rev Dr John Caperon respond to an article about the Bayeux tapestry’s journey to the UKYour article on the loan of the Bayeux tapestry...
By Guardian Staff · The Guardian Opinion
Jane M Card , Tim Wicks and Rev Dr John Caperon respond to an article about the Bayeux tapestry’s journey to the UK Your article on the loan of the Bayeux tapestry to the British Museum states with admirable caution that Harold II is “represented in his final scenes in the embroidery with an arrow in his eye” ( ‘Of course we will give it back’: Bayeux tapestry set for secret journey across Channel, 3 June ). But was this always the case? In 1816 the Society of Antiquaries sent their historical draughtsman Charles Stothard to draw the Bayeux tapestry . Where the threads had worn away, he put in the stitch holes. These plainly show the arrow in Harold’s helmet, not his eye. Continue reading...