DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.67419#0120
98
THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY.
tapestry goes on to picture the progress of the cap-
tured troop and their captors to Belrem or Beurain,
and a conference when there between the earl and
his prisoner, where the fair embroideresses have
given a delicate and expressive feature by depicting
the conquering noble with his sword elevated, and
the princely captive, wearing indeed his sword, but
with the point depressed.
It is said that a fisherman of Ponthieu, who had
been often in England and knew Harold’s person,
was the cause of his capture. “ He went privily to
Guy, the Count of Pontif, and would speak to no
other; and he told the Count how he could put a
great prize in his way, if he would go with him ; and
that if he would give him only twenty livres he
should gain a hundred by it, for he would deliver
him such a prisoner as would pay a hundred livres
or more for his ransome.” The Count agreed to
his terms, and then the fisherman showed him
Harold.
Hearing of Harold’s captivity, William the Nor-
man is anxious on all and every account to obtain
possession of his person. He consequently sends
ambassadors to Guy, who is represented on the
tapestry as giving them audience. The person
holding the horses is somewhat remarkable ; he is a
bearded dwarf. Dwarfs were formerly much sought
after in the houses of great folks, and they were fre-
quently sent as presents from one potentate to ano-
ther. They were petted and indulged somewhat in
the way of the more modern fool or jester. The
custom is very old. The Romans were so fond of
them, that they often used artificial methods to pre-
THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY.
tapestry goes on to picture the progress of the cap-
tured troop and their captors to Belrem or Beurain,
and a conference when there between the earl and
his prisoner, where the fair embroideresses have
given a delicate and expressive feature by depicting
the conquering noble with his sword elevated, and
the princely captive, wearing indeed his sword, but
with the point depressed.
It is said that a fisherman of Ponthieu, who had
been often in England and knew Harold’s person,
was the cause of his capture. “ He went privily to
Guy, the Count of Pontif, and would speak to no
other; and he told the Count how he could put a
great prize in his way, if he would go with him ; and
that if he would give him only twenty livres he
should gain a hundred by it, for he would deliver
him such a prisoner as would pay a hundred livres
or more for his ransome.” The Count agreed to
his terms, and then the fisherman showed him
Harold.
Hearing of Harold’s captivity, William the Nor-
man is anxious on all and every account to obtain
possession of his person. He consequently sends
ambassadors to Guy, who is represented on the
tapestry as giving them audience. The person
holding the horses is somewhat remarkable ; he is a
bearded dwarf. Dwarfs were formerly much sought
after in the houses of great folks, and they were fre-
quently sent as presents from one potentate to ano-
ther. They were petted and indulged somewhat in
the way of the more modern fool or jester. The
custom is very old. The Romans were so fond of
them, that they often used artificial methods to pre-