The Bayeux Tapestry is attracting great reviews in London. Those who follow this blog know I am a keen admirer and have written numerous posts on the Romanesque masterpiece. But today we were in Angers, a city in western France beside the Maine river at the edge of the Loire Valley. We visited the hugely impressive chateau above the river which houses the medieval ‘Apocalypse Tapestry’. This incredible treasure from the fourteenth century depicts the book of Revelation in great detail due to its vast size. 

Originally commissioned in 1373 for Louis of Anjou, one of the sons of Charles V, it depicts the apocalyptic tale in six panels, each six metres high and twenty three metres long. A true tapestry (The Bayeux story is in fact embroidery) it was the largest ever created in medieval Europe. Its great size has given it a problematic history being difficult to house, even being hung in Angers Cathedral for some years. It was nearly lost in the seventeenth century as tapestry fell from fashion but restored several times in the last two hundred years. It now hangs in a purpose built gallery in Angers Chateau. 

The story, written in the first century during a time of Christian persecution by Rome, is seen as a description of the apocalyptic destruction of the world before Christ’s triumphant return. The vision is created against the background of Roman oppression and pagan worship. In the medieval versions, and there are many in numerous media, the characters appear in classical timeless attire but clearly of their day. Many famous faces of fourteenth century France can be identified and the story has a clear, thinly veiled, target against English oppressions. The leopard of the English Royal coat of arms prevails, associated with the poverty caused by the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Death – or so the local interpretation has it!

The tapestry is a marvel of medieval French workmanship and it is assumed that its creators were from the Paris area. The natural colours have all faded and especially the greens, from which the yellow dye has all but disappeared, leaving a very blue tinge to the floral sections. The method of dovetail weaving employed means the back is an exact replica of the front with no knots or construction pieces and the colour has survived better intact.

Angers is a fabulous place to visit being a delicate mix of old and new having an old town with half-timbered houses side by side with a very modern city full of culture. It was the medieval seat of the Angevin kings, forerunners of the Plantagenet dynasty. Anjou was the important buffer between Brittany, Normandy and Burgundy and its royalty held great importance in the medieval court. 

The Apocalypse Tapestry and its place in history is representative of the Angevin wealth, confidence and importance. Don’t ever expect to see this masterpiece travel to London!