Historian Dispute Over Bayeux Tapestry’s Embroidered Male Genitalia
A heated debate has erupted between two medieval experts over the number of male genitalia embroidered into the Bayeux tapestry, a 70-metre-long embroidery that tells the story of the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The dispute, which has garnered worldwide interest, centres on whether a 94th penis has been discovered in the intricate stitching.
According to The Guardian, Oxford professor George Garnett sparked the controversy six years ago when he announced that he had counted 93 penises stitched into the embroidery, with 88 of them attached to horses and the remainder to human figures. However, Dr Christopher Monk, a historian and Bayeux tapestry scholar, believes he has found a 94th example. Monk, also known as the Medieval Monk, points to a running man depicted in the tapestry border, who appears to have something dangling beneath his tunic.
In an interview with the HistoryExtra Podcast, Monk insisted that the appendage is a depiction of male genitalia, stating: “I am in no doubt that the appendage is a depiction of male genitalia – the missed penis, shall we say. The detail is surprisingly anatomically fulsome.” Monk’s assertion has reignited the debate, with Garnett maintaining that the dangling object is actually the scabbard of a sword or dagger.
The Bayeux Museum in Normandy, home to the embroidery, describes the tapestry as “an epic poem and a moralistic work.” However, the historians argue that their work is far from frivolous, with Garnett stating that it is about “understanding medieval minds.” He believes that the unknown designer of the embroidery was highly educated and used “literary allusions to subvert the standard story of the Norman conquest.”
Garnett also pointed out that in the Bayeux tapestry, size did matter, with the battle’s two leaders – Harold Godwinson and Duke William of Normandy – depicted on steeds with noticeably larger endowments. “William’s horse is by far the biggest,” Garnett said. “And that’s not a coincidence.” Monk, however, remains convinced that the running man’s dangly bits are the tapestry’s “missing penis.”
Dr David Musgrove, the host of the podcast and a Bayeux tapestry expert, described the new theory as fascinating, stating: “It’s a reminder that this embroidery is a multi-layered artefact that rewards careful study and remains a wondrous enigma almost a millennium after it was stitched.” As reported by The Guardian, the dispute highlights the ongoing efforts of historians to unravel the secrets and symbolism embedded in the Bayeux tapestry.
The Bayeux tapestry is an invaluable historical artefact, offering a unique glimpse into the medieval period. As scholars continue to study and interpret the embroidery, it is clear that the debate over the number of embroidered male genitalia is far from over. According to The Guardian, the historians’ discussion serves as a testament to the complexity and richness of the tapestry, which remains a subject of fascination for historians and scholars alike.
The Bayeux tapestry has long been regarded as a masterpiece of medieval art, and its intricate stitching and symbolism continue to captivate audiences. As The Guardian notes, the dispute between Garnett and Monk serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to understand and interpret this remarkable artefact.
This latest development in the ongoing debate is a significant one, and The Guardian reports that it will be interesting to see how this discussion unfolds in the coming months. As historians continue to study and interpret the Bayeux tapestry, it is clear that their work will shed new light on this fascinating artefact.
Source: The Guardian
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