XI. Observations on an Historical Fact supposed to be established by the Bayeux Tapestry. By Thomas Amyot, Esq. F.S.A. in a Letter addressed to Henry Ellis, Esq. F.R.S. Secretary

In an interesting paper which has been recently published by the Society, entitled “Observations on the Bayeux Tapestry,” that very curious monument of antiquity is said to contain “an Apologetical History of the Claims of William to the Crown of England, and of the breach of faith and fall of Harold.” The historical fact which the tapestry is supposed to establish, namely, that of Harold's mission to Normandy by the Confessor to offer the succession to William, is so important if true, and is at the same time involved in so much doubt and obscurity, that I shall perhaps be pardoned if I venture to offer a brief notice and examination of the original authorities which have a reference to the subject. I should not indeed have presumed to solicit the attention of the Society to this discussion, if the Tapestry itself had not been rendered highly interesting to us by the striking and elegant delineations of it which now adorn our walls.