Bayeux Tapestry - a PR delight

I love history and I love PR. And that’s why I’m delighted that the Bayeux Tapestry has shot to the top of the news rankings today. It’s a brilliant example of great PR – a wonderful story with beautiful visuals. It’s a story told from a certain perspective of course, but also with respect for both sides, depicting the bravery of the Anglo-Saxon defenders with their mighty shield wall, in as much detail as the Norman horsemen and knights.

The scenes are laid out as part of a comprehensive public relations strategy to cement the Norman dynasty’s perceived right to the English throne: Harold’s oath to William in France (putting aside that Harold ended up ‘captive’ in Normandy after a shipwreck), a Papal banner indicating support from God via Rome, and perhaps even a lessening of the horrific reality of Harold’s death.

William may have been alongside his knights when Harold was hacked to pieces after he had been struck by an arrow. In the tapestry, the future king of England is nowhere near that particular scene!

As is already being commentated on, the timing of the potential cross-Channel switch for this amazing 67m-long historical artefact, is of course all bound up with the politics (and PR) of today, as we head towards a post-Brexit relationship with Europe.

If and when it does go on display in England, the Bayeux Tapestry will be a wonderful opportunity to consider how story-telling continues to play such a pivotal role in society and politics in the 21st century, and of course, whether it is still always the winners who get the final say.