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The Bayeux Tapestry Trivia Quiz

Ten questions on the Bayeux Tapestry, a long embroidered cloth that tells the story of the Norman conquest of England. Although it reflects the Norman point of view, it is considered one of the great historical records of the Middle Ages in Britain.

A multiple-choice quiz by aginor. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
aginor

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
235,902

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
856

Last 3 plays: Guest 184 (2/10), Guest 82 (8/10), Guest 202 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who was most likely responsible for commissioning the Bayeux Tapestry? Hint

Edith Godwinson, wife of King Edward the Confessor

William the Conqueror

Bishop Odo of Bayeux

Queen Matilda, wife of William the Conqueror

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the current length of the tapestry? Hint

100 metres (328 feet)

70 metres (230 feet)

20 metres (66 feet)

35 metres (115 feet)

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Question 3 of 10

3. In what language are the annotations on the tapestry? Hint

Anglo-Norman

Middle English

Latin

French

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Question 4 of 10

4. Approximately how many people are shown on the tapestry? Hint

623

103

457

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Question 5 of 10

5. What can be mostly seen on the borders of the tapestry? Hint

Mythological figures and scenes from fables

Floral designs

Portraits of the main characters

Bible verses

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Question 6 of 10

6. What are the most common weapons used by the Normans as shown in the tapestry? Hint

Spears and javelins

Bows and arrows

Swords

Daggers

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which astronomical object can be seen in the tapestry? Hint

The north star

The Orion constellation

Halley's comet

The Leo constellation

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Question 8 of 10

8. The tapestry has a famous panel with what appears to be a clergyman striking a woman. Who is this woman? Hint

Edith, wife of King Edward the Confessor

Queen Matilda, wife of William the Conqueror

It is not known

The wife of Harold Godwinson

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Question 9 of 10

9. Where was the tapestry most likely made? Hint

Normandy, France

Paris, France

Germany

England

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Question 10 of 10

10. Where can you see the tapestry? Hint

The Louvre, Paris

The Smithsonian, Washington DC

National Gallery, London

A museum in Bayeux, France

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 19 2024 : Guest 184: 2/10
Nov 16 2024 : Guest 82: 8/10
Nov 14 2024 : Guest 202: 5/10
Nov 12 2024 : Guest 105: 4/10
Nov 06 2024 : Guest 115: 3/10
Nov 06 2024 : Guest 154: 6/10
Nov 05 2024 : Guest 82: 4/10
Oct 24 2024 : Guest 5: 10/10
Oct 23 2024 : Guest 206: 4/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who was most likely responsible for commissioning the Bayeux Tapestry?

Answer: Bishop Odo of Bayeux

It was traditionally thought to have been commissioned by William himself, or by Matilda. Another, more recent theory has been that Edith Godwinson was the patron of the tapestry. However, now Bishop Odo of Bayeux - William's half-brother - is now favored as the most likely candidate to have commissioned the work.

2. What is the current length of the tapestry?

Answer: 70 metres (230 feet)

The tapestry is in fact not a tapestry at all, but a very long piece of embroidery. It measures 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft). There is evidence that it was even longer at one time and is now incomplete.

3. In what language are the annotations on the tapestry?

Answer: Latin

Latin was the main written language in the Middle Ages. The Latin text is about battle events and the main characters' actions.

4. Approximately how many people are shown on the tapestry?

Answer: 623

The tapestry has approximately 623 people, 202 horses, 55 dogs, 500+ other birds and animals (some mythical), 49 trees, 41 ships, 37 buildings and 57 Latin inscriptions containing nearly 2,000 letters. Only 3 of the people shown in the main narrative are women.

5. What can be mostly seen on the borders of the tapestry?

Answer: Mythological figures and scenes from fables

The upper and lower borders are mostly simply decoration, but sometimes show scenes that may be comments upon the story unfolding in the middle section. Some of these scenes can be identified as being from the Bible or Aesop's Fables, but the sources of others are unknown.

6. What are the most common weapons used by the Normans as shown in the tapestry?

Answer: Spears and javelins

The Normans commonly used spears and javelins and had horses while the English commonly used Danish battle-axes and were on foot. Clubs,swords and spears were the main weapons for both sides. Both sides wore mail shirts and had long or round shields.

7. Which astronomical object can be seen in the tapestry?

Answer: Halley's comet

The comet appeared in 1066 shortly before the battle and was seen as a bad omen for King Harold Godwinson. On the other hand, William the Conqueror believed that the Comet was some sort of sign that he would win the battle. The tapestry shows six men pointing up at the comet. The inscription reads Isti Mirant Stella -- They marvel at the star.

8. The tapestry has a famous panel with what appears to be a clergyman striking a woman. Who is this woman?

Answer: It is not known

No one knows the meaning of the inscription above this scene. The inscription shows the woman's name as Aelfgyva, a common Saxon name. Historians speculate that it may represent a well known scandal of the day that needed no explanation.

9. Where was the tapestry most likely made?

Answer: England

The style and inscriptions suggest that the tapestry was made in England. Only Anglo-Saxon women are supposed to have made embroidery of this style at that time. Most researchers agree that it was made in either Canterbury or Winchester, both homes to famous embroidery works.

10. Where can you see the tapestry?

Answer: A museum in Bayeux, France

The tapestry hangs at a special museum in Bayeux. It was originally designed to hang from the nave of Bayeux's cathedral, which is only a short walk from the museum. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the north of France!

Source: Author aginor

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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