The Bayeux Tapestry’s Hidden Phallus: A Debate Among Historians – The epic embroidery, a 70-meter-long account of the Norman conquest of England in 1066, has sparked a heated debate over its depiction of male genitalia.
The Bayeux Tapestry’s Hidden Phallus: A Debate Among Historians
The Bayeux tapestry, a 70-meter-long embroidered account of the Norman conquest of England in 1066, has been a subject of fascination for centuries. Recently, two medieval experts, George Garnett and Christopher Monk, have engaged in a heated debate over how many male genitalia are depicted in the embroidery.
The Bayeux Tapestry is a 70-meter-long embroidered cloth created in the 11th century.
It depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, including the death of 'King Edward the Confessor' and the subsequent invasion by 'William, Duke of Normandy'.
The tapestry is made from wool and silk threads on a linen base, with intricate scenes and figures.
Its origins are still debated among historians, but it is believed to have been created by a team of skilled embroiderers in Bayeux, France.
The Original Count: 93 Penises?
In 2019, Oxford professor George Garnett announced that he had counted 93 penises stitched into the Bayeux tapestry. According to Garnett, 88 of these appendages are attached to horses and the remainder to human figures. He believes that the unknown designer of the epic embroidery was highly educated and used ‘literary allusions to subvert the standard story of the Norman conquest.’
A New Theory: The Missing Penis
However, Dr. Christopher Monk, a Bayeux tapestry scholar, has recently proposed an alternative theory. Monk argues that the running man depicted in the tapestry border has something dangling beneath his tunic, which he believes is a depiction of male genitalia – the ‘missed penis.’ According to Monk, this detail is surprisingly anatomically fulsome.
The Historians’ Disagreement
The two historians disagree on what the black shape emerging from this figure’s tunic represents. Garnett insists that it is the scabbard of a sword or dagger, while Monk is convinced that it is a male member. Despite their differences, both experts emphasize that their work is far from silly and is rooted in a serious attempt to understand medieval minds.
The Bayeux Tapestry as a Multi-Layered Artefact
Dr. David Musgrove, the host of the HistoryExtra Podcast, has praised Monk’s new theory as fascinating. He notes that the Bayeux tapestry is a multi-layered artefact that rewards careful study and remains an enigma almost a millennium after it was stitched.
The Significance of Size in the Tapestry
Garnett also points out that the battle’s two leaders – Harold Godwinson and Duke William of Normandy – are shown on steeds with noticeably larger endowments. He argues that this is not a coincidence, suggesting that size did matter in the design of the tapestry.
The Debate Continues
The debate between Garnett and Monk highlights the complexity and richness of the Bayeux tapestry. As historians continue to study and interpret this epic embroidery, we are reminded of the importance of careful analysis and attention to detail.
- theguardian.com | Historians dispute Bayeux tapestry penis tally after lengthy debate
