91ºÚÁÏÍø

This fall's 91ºÚÁÏÍø (91ºÚÁÏÍø) Bayeux Tapestry replica exhibit is a unique opportunity to experience history.

The replica is the only full-size replica in the U.S. of the tapestry that depicts the story of the Battle of Hastings, a decisive moment in the history of England.

"The exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry Replica is a unique and important way that our students and the community can find themselves immersed in a historical source in a way that most people can't be," Dr. Tamara Spike, department head of History, Anthropology and Philosophy, said. "Because it's a type of material, it allows people to experience history in a tactile way. It helps history come alive in a way that for many people, reading about history does not give them."

Historians point to the Battle of Hastings, a single battle between the Norman-French army and the English army, as a pivotal moment in 1066.

"One important thing is that it effectively made England  a continental kingdom, although people weren't thinking in terms of that kind of identity yet. It forged a symbiotic relationship," Dr. Renée Bricker, professor of history, said. "After the conquest, there's so much cultural exchange. The Normans changed the ruling class. They introduced feudalism and royal courts, legal traditions and the foundation for what develops later as English common law, and that is part of our American legal inheritance. We do have some, not a straight line certainly, but some far-reaching tentacles that that go there in terms of legal traditions."

Bricker added an ironic twist regarding the story portrayed in the replica and modern history.

"You've got William the Conqueror coming over and conquering England in the Battle of Hastings. It's a big turning point, a “before” and “after” in English history, " Bricker said. "But then later, in World War II, British soldiers installed a plaque at the Bayeux Memorial that said, ‘We, once conquered by William, have now set free the Conqueror’s native land.’" 

The cloth is 224 feet long and hand-painted in acrylic on cotton canvas. Margaret ReVille, its artist, took 11 months to complete the piece, which reproduces the original embroidery housed at the  in France. It has been judged as the most accurate copy in the world.

Judge Edd Wheeler from Tucker, Georgia, commissioned the piece and donated it to 91ºÚÁÏÍø in 2014 to fulfill an educational mission. Upon arrival in Dahlonega, the replica underwent cleaning and restoration by Department of Visual Arts faculty.

The exhibition schedule allows visitors to join a tour guided by docents from  Dr. Ana Pozzi's visual literacy and communication class or an audio tour recorded by Dr. Brian Jay Corrigan, professor of English and professional actor.

"One thing that always surprises me is how the students’ self-confidence grows monumentally through this experience. When they are first told they will be serving as docents, they often feel intimidated at the prospect of learning so many details and presenting them publicly in front of strangers. Then, after they do it, they are thrilled with how well they managed the task, and they walk taller and prouder," Pozzi said. "It is hard work to learn so much information in just a few weeks, let alone get over their fear of embarrassment, but they have never disappointed me. On the contrary, I am always impressed at the great comments I get from the visitors who praise the docents' professionalism, knowledge and enthusiasm."

Pozzi said she trains the docents with insights about how to manage different audience engagement levels, and this in turn prepares them for the real world of employment and collaboration with others.

"The experience is also significant because in this role, they serve as representatives of 91ºÚÁÏÍø, which instills in them a sense of pride in our institution. They are not students in this role. They are leaders," Pozzi said. "Through their training, they learn skills from public speaking to good posture, from good listening to picking up non-verbal cues from the audience and answering their questions. They also learn about history and art history, and especially visual storytelling. Most importantly, they learn to interact with all sorts of people in a respectful and professional manner. Visitors range from elementary-school-age kids who have never heard of the story of Harold and William, to extremely knowledgeable visitors who not only know the story but read Latin or are well versed in medieval history."

Group tours are led by a guide and may be scheduled for Sept. 15-18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For general information and to plan a class or group visit, contact Pozzi.