Podcast Summary: Haptic & Hue – "Tapestries For Troubled Times"

Introduction

In the episode titled "Tapestries For Troubled Times" from Haptic & Hue's Tales of Textiles, host Jo Andrews explores the profound role of textiles in shaping and reflecting human history, particularly during periods of significant change and uncertainty. This episode juxtaposes the historic Bayeux Tapestry with the contemporary Great Tapestry of Scotland, illustrating how these monumental embroidered works serve as powerful narratives and communal memories.

The Bayeux Tapestry: A Historical Masterpiece

The episode opens with an introduction to the Bayeux Tapestry, an embroidered narrative created nearly a thousand years ago to chronicle the Norman Conquest of England. Jo Andrews sets the stage by highlighting the tapestry's recognition by UNESCO and its enduring legacy in northern France's Bayeux ([00:20] Jo Andrews).

Creation and Craftsmanship

Michael Lewis, a member of the Bayeux Tapestry Scientific Committee and co-author of a recent book on the tapestry, provides deeper insights into its creation. He suggests that the tapestry was likely crafted by Anglo-Saxon women who experienced the Norman Conquest firsthand, possibly losing family members in battles like Hastings ([01:17] Michael Lewis). Lewis emphasizes the diversity of the women's experiences and the emotional complexity they might have faced during the creation process:

“They would be reflecting upon that... maybe their kind of fears or hopes for what the future might bring.” ([01:17] Michael Lewis)

Technical Aspects and Artistic Influences

Jo Andrews clarifies a common misconception about the tapestry's nature, explaining that it's actually an embroidery rather than a true tapestry—a term that stuck due to historical mislabeling ([02:01] Jo Andrews). She delves into the tapestry's probable origins, noting that it was commissioned by Bishop Odo, William the Conqueror’s half-brother, and likely created near Canterbury in Kent ([03:38] Jo Andrews).

Michael Lewis discusses the artistic influences on the Bayeux Tapestry, noting connections to Canterbury's manuscript art and the potential biases in historical archives that have shaped our understanding of its design ([03:38] Michael Lewis).

The Women Behind the Threads

The discussion shifts to the demographics of the tapestry's creators. Michael Lewis dispels the notion that only nuns or aristocratic women were involved, pointing out that embroidery was a widespread skill among Anglo-Saxon women across various social strata ([05:04] Michael Lewis). This broad pool of potential stitchers suggests a diverse and extensive collaborative effort.

Clare Hunter, an author and community stitcher, adds that the embroiderers faced significant challenges, both emotional and physical. Working with limited materials—such as wool yarn and a restricted color palette—required immense skill and perseverance:

“They put in these tiny, small cameos of what their own experience was.” ([08:46] Clare Hunter)

She elaborates on the emotional depth infused into the tapestry, with women covertly embedding personal testimonies of trauma and loss related to the Norman Conquest ([09:54] Clare Hunter).

Modern Parallel: The Great Tapestry of Scotland

Transitioning to contemporary times, the episode introduces the Great Tapestry of Scotland, a massive community arts project inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. Clare Hunter underscores its emotional potency as a tactile narrative that captures Scotland’s rich history through the collective efforts of over a thousand stitchers ([16:19] Clare Hunter).

Creation and Vision

Alasdair Moffat, a historian and one of the key figures behind the Great Tapestry of Scotland, recounts his inspiration and the collaborative process that led to its creation. Influenced by community reactions to a historical tapestry in Edinburgh, Moffat envisioned a tapestry that tells Scotland's story through the lives of ordinary people rather than just its elites:

“What we need is something that is about Scotland's people.” ([20:21] Alasdair Moffat)

He collaborated with designer Andrew Crummie to develop scenes that reflect everyday Scottish life, ensuring the tapestry remained inclusive and representative of diverse experiences ([19:56] Alasdair Moffat).

Role of the Head Stitcher: Dori Wilkie

Dori Wilkie, the head stitcher, discusses the logistical and creative challenges of coordinating thousands of volunteers across Scotland. She emphasizes the therapeutic and communal benefits participants experienced, fostering friendships and problem-solving through their shared craft:

“It's storytelling and stitching. Working with thread is therapeutic.” ([23:10] Dori Wilkie)

Wilkie shares touching anecdotes, such as stitchers overcoming geographical barriers to collaborate, symbolizing the unity and resilience embedded in the tapestry ([25:34] Dori Wilkie).

Inclusion and Representation

As the project progressed, volunteers advocated for greater representation of women's history, leading to the addition of panels that highlight traditional female roles and personal stories. This inclusivity deepened the tapestry's authenticity and emotional resonance, making it a true communal legacy ([26:42] Dori Wilkie).

Clare Hunter highlights the tapestry's collective power, noting that it serves as an authentic testimony woven by a thousand hands, each contributing their unique perspective and legacy ([27:37] Clare Hunter):

“It's both a celebration and it is a commemoration... imbued within it are the thoughts and the knowledge and the emotions of the people who sowed it.” ([27:37] Clare Hunter)

Unveiling and Legacy

Alasdair Moffat recounts the overwhelming public reception of the Great Tapestry of Scotland during its debut at the Scottish Parliament. Contrary to his initial fears, the tapestry elicited powerful emotional responses, drawing crowds eager to witness its grandeur:

“What these women had created was staggering, staggering. The thing just sang in a way that I'd never, ever possibly been aware that it could.” ([31:00] Alasdair Moffat)

The tapestry's tour across Scotland garnered immense popularity, culminating in a bespoke building in Galashiels to house this monumental work. Moffat reflects on the project's enduring legacy and its recognition as a top attraction:

“Even though I know everything that's in every panel, I still get surprised by it... very few [things] in your life do that to you.” ([34:24] Alasdair Moffat)

Conclusion

Jo Andrews wraps up the episode by reflecting on the timeless power of embroidered narratives to connect us deeply to our histories and each other. She emphasizes that these textiles, rich with thought and time, offer a unique refuge from written words, allowing individuals to interpret and find personal meaning within them. The episode honors both historical and modern stitchers, celebrating their contributions to preserving and sharing invaluable stories through the art of embroidery.

“Never underestimate their power to redefine who we are and how we see ourselves.” ([35:20] Jo Andrews)

Notable Quotes

• Michael Lewis ([01:17])

  “They would be reflecting upon that... maybe their kind of fears or hopes for what the future might bring.”

• Clare Hunter ([08:46])

  “They put in these tiny, small cameos of what their own experience was.”

• Alasdair Moffat ([17:50])

  “You could look at the faces of the people looking at it and they were enraptured.”

• Dori Wilkie ([23:10])

  “It's storytelling and stitching. Working with thread is therapeutic.”

• Jo Andrews ([35:20])

  “Never underestimate their power to redefine who we are and how we see ourselves.”

Further Information

For those interested in exploring more about this episode, including a full script and accompanying images, visit www.Listen-series/7Haptic&Hue. Supporters can become friends of Haptic & Hue to gain access to exclusive content and additional podcasts, such as Travels with Textiles, which delves into various textile stories and news.

Visit in Person

If you find yourself near Galashiels, Shields, or Bayeux, consider visiting the Great Tapestry of Scotland or the Bayeux Tapestry to experience their emotional and historical profundity firsthand.

Final Thoughts

Tapestries For Troubled Times beautifully illustrates how textiles transcend mere decorative art, serving as vital historical documents and emotional outlets. Through the dedication of countless women and a few men, both ancient and modern tapestries capture the essence of human resilience, community, and the enduring power of storytelling through fabric.