An 11th-century tapestry that depicts the Norman Conquest of England has captivated many researchers and historians who laid their eyes on it. However, one faction in World War II seemed to have an unhealthy obsession with it. The Nazis thought of reclaiming a symbol of their heritage, but it only ended in theft.
The Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry was first made in 1077, nearly one thousand years ago. It was created by William the Conqueror’s half-brother – Bishop Odo of Bayeux. The Tapestry depicts events that led up to the Battle of Hastings 11 years prior. The artifact blends history and art, making it an exceptional wonder of the world.
A Fascination
The head of the German SS, Heinrich Himmler, had a strange fascination with the Tapestry. He thought that it was evidence that there the Normans had Germanic roots. He rationalized in his mind that this aligned with Nazi ideology and glorified the Aryan ancestry. This led to a dark motivation to “reclaim” the Tapestry.
Studying The Tapestry
The Ahnenerbe, a German research group, was co-founded by Himmler and given the mission to study the Tapestry that was in its rightful place in Bayeux. They wanted to justify theories about Normans descending from Vikings.
Theft
The Ahnenerbe traveled to France to study the Tapestry, but no one discovered for years what they didn’t just look at it. Nazi researchers in 1941 stole a small fragment of the Tapestry to take back to Germany for further study. The fragment was discovered in the Schleswig-Holstein State Archives and will be returned to France.
The Journey Of The Tapestry
The Tapestry was moved many times throughout World War II for its own safety, as bombing from the Allies would have destroyed it. It was in a monastery at one point, and then it moved to the Chateau de Sourches before ending up in the Louvre in Paris.
The Resistance
The French Resistance had a huge role to play in protecting the Tapestry from the Nazi occupation. Himmler ordered the Tapestry to be moved to Germany, but his order was intercepted and overheard at Bletchley Park by the resistance, which ended in them hiding it in the Louvre’s basement.
Being Returned
Once the war had ended, the Tapestry was taken out of the Louvre’s basement and displayed there. In 1945, it was moved back to its rightful place in Bayeux. Today, it sits in the Bayeux Museum, where it captivates thousands of people.
The Fragment
The fragment that had been stolen by the Nazis 80 years ago is a small piece of the Tapestry that doesn’t have any embroidery on it. This stolen fragment highlights just how obsessed the Nazis were. With its return to France after many decades, it has been a victory for historical and art preservation.
A Legacy
Many were worried about the Bayeux Tapestry’s destruction in World War II, but through the dedication of rebels risking their lives, the Tapestry remained in France and has survived a difficult time in history. The cultural treasure is finally back where it belongs, where it should sit for the foreseeable future. Many still wonder what exactly the Nazis saw in the legendary piece – perhaps it was just chasing justification for their regime, or maybe it was something deeper. The mystery is still ongoing.
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