ANALYTICAL ESSAY 2 INSTRUCTIONS

Topic: Medieval Evaluation

In this assignment, you will examine a piece of medieval art known as the Bayeux Tapestry. It is embroidery that is over 230 feet long and was created in the eleventh century to commemorate the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It is a set of images meant to be read in sequence, something like a medieval comic strip. The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate how non-textual artifacts may be used as historical sources. Historians use many written documents, but they can also learn much about the past by studying other items including works of art, household items, weapons and tools, and images.

This assignment has two parts. First, you will examine specific parts of the tapestry; second, you will answer a few questions about the tapestry as a whole. Read through all of the instructions for both parts before you begin. You will submit both completed parts in a single Microsoft Word document. This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week 6.

Part 1

1. Access the images for this assignment through the Analytical Essay 2 Images link in "Syllabus and Assignment Instructions" in Blackboard.

2. Using the List of Images below, examine each of the images carefully and see if you can determine what is being depicted. For each image or group of images, write a short paragraph describing what you see in at least 75 words.

3. You may not be able to identify everything in the image, but you should try to describe it in your own words. Remember, the point is not to demonstrate your expertise in medieval symbolism, but rather to carefully examine the images.

4. Make sure you identify each image by its number. You should write your descriptions in your own words; make sure they accurately reflect what you see in the images. Do not use any other source than your own interpretation of the image.

5. Use only third person pronouns in your description (no first or second person pronouns). Avoid phrases such as "I see," "in this image," "you can see," etc. Just jump right into the description. For example: Men travel on horseback to visit a palace.

Part 2

Creat a page break in your document to start a new page and answer the following questions about the tapestry as a whole. Do not use any sources other than your textbook and any lectures related to the Battle of Hastings and the Bayeaux Tapestry. Your main source for this section should be your own knowledge and the tapestry images. Do not include any quotations. If you do choose to summarize or paraphrase anything from the textbook or lectures, this information must be properly cited.

1. The Bayeux Tapestry depicts the Battle of Hastings and the events leading to it. How can it be used as a historical source for these events? In what ways might it be considered unreliable?

2. The subject of the tapestry is the Battle of Hastings, but since it was designed and constructed in the eleventh century, it also provides the historian with other information about that era. Based on your study of the images in the tapestry and what you have already learned about medieval society from the textbook readings and the course lectures, describe 3 or 4 other aspects (besides the events depicted or the military aspect) of the medieval world that are illustrated in the tapestry.