Published:31/12/2005
Language:EnglishPages:358, Includes numerous black and white illustrations.
BAR Number: B404
Series: BAR British Series
The Archaeological Authority of the Bayeux Tapestry
Written by Michael John Lewis
£59.00 – £85.00
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Description
‘The Archaeological Authority of the Bayeux Tapestry’ is the publication of Michael Lewis’s PhD, awarded by the University of Kent in 2004. At that time, PhDs were submitted in hard copy, so the original thesis is not available electronically. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which artefacts in the Bayeux Tapestry reflect the contemporary world of the eleventh century (so as to have archaeological authority) or not. Highlighted is the influence of contemporary manuscripts on the Tapestry’s design and how that impacts the representation of material culture, including buildings, ships, dress, arms and armour, etc. Its conclusions explore the impact of these findings on the production of the Tapestry and on the role of those involved in its execution.
About the Author
Michael Lewis is Curator of the British Museum’s Bayeux Tapestry exhibition. Formerly, he managed the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) as Head of Portable Antiquities and Treasure at the BM. Prior to that, he worked as a Curator at the National Maritime Museum (1997-2000) and then for the PAS since 2000, first as a Finds Liaison Officer (in Kent), then its Outreach Officer (2001-3), Deputy Head (2003-15) and Head (2015-25). He is also a Visiting Professor in archaeology and social humanities at the universities of Exeter, Reading and Helsinki, with a particular interest in medieval small finds; he is co-investigator on the AHRC-funded Medieval Ritual Landscape project (2022-6).
Michael is best known for his work on the Bayeux Tapestry. It was the topic of both his MA and PhD theses, the latter exploring the archaeological authority of the Bayeux Tapestry (awarded 2004). In 2008, he co-organised an international conference on the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum, published as 'The Bayeux Tapestry: new approaches' (2011). Since then, he has written several books, including 'The Story of the Bayeux Tapestry' (Hb 2021, Pd 2024, 2026) with Dave Musgrove, as well as many articles. In 2013, he joined Bayeux Museum’s scientific committee, which has had a role in advising on the interpretation and display of the Tapestry in Bayeux Museum (opens 2027).
