The Comet on the Bayeux Tapestry
In the spring of 1066 a long-haired star crossed the sky, and the Bayeux Tapestry shows the English pointing at it in fear.
What was reported
In April 1066, a bright comet appeared in the night sky over Europe for several weeks. In England, where Harold Godwinson had just been crowned king, many took it as an omen.
The Bayeux Tapestry, embroidered soon after to tell the story of the Norman conquest, shows men pointing up at the comet beside the words 'isti mirant stella', 'these men marvel at the star', while Harold is told the news. In October he was defeated at the Battle of Hastings.
Explanations offered
It was Halley's Comet, which returns about every 76 years. In 1705 Edmond Halley worked out that comets seen in 1531, 1607 and 1682 were the same object and predicted it would come back in 1758; when it did, it was named after him. The tapestry is one of the earliest pictures of it.
- When
- April 1066
- Where
- Bayeux, Normandy, France
- Witnesses
- The English and the Normans, recorded in thread
- Status
- Explained
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.