Culture Jersey

Event Overview

Andrew Bridgeford is a Jersey lawyer and writer.  His book 1066: The Hidden History of the Bayeux Tapestry was published by Fourth Estate in 2002 and the following year in a US edition (now by Bloomsbury) and a French translation (Editions du Rocher). It is still in print in the UK with HarperCollins. His personal website as a writer is www.andrewbridgeford.com

Andrew's interest in the Bayeux Tapestry dates back a long time. It truly became serious in 1995 when, one hot summer lunchtime he raced down to the library in order to check on the depiction of Count Eustace II of Boulogne – and seeing it in detail he knew straightaway that he had new, important things to say about the Tapestry and, moreover, there was a book in it.

He has not spoken widely about his work on the Bayeux Tapestry and the resulting book. In fact he turned down several opportunities to do so – including Hay on Wye – thinking that the book was much better able to speak for itself.  But he feels more able to do so now, and it will indeed be nice to do so in the very library where it all began.

Reviews of 1066: The Hidden History of the Bayeux Tapestry

“Bridgeford marshals the battalions of his argument with all the analytical force, lucidity and panache of a counsel from the golden age of advocacy.”
Christopher Silvester, Sunday Times

“An enjoyable and significant book.”
J. F. Szabo and N. E. Kuefler, Bibliography of the Bayeux Tapestry

“Here is an author who could easily make a living writing thrillers because it is precisely this technique he has applied to this highly readable book. We are left chapter after chapter on the edge of our seat ... a haunting book.”

Sir Roy Strong, Daily Mail

“Superbly engaging.” 

Sunday Telegraph

“Mr. Bridgeford takes readers on a fascinating image-by-image tour of the tapestry and makes a forceful case that it represents ‘the lost chronicle of the English.’ He succeeds marvelously in showing that the Bayeux Tapestry is a richer and more mysterious work than is commonly believed.” 
Wall Street Journal

“Bridgeford . . . suggests convincingly that the text identifies Eustace as Harold's killer.”
Fiona Hook, Sunday Independent

“An often gripping yarn . . . Bridgeford gives an exciting account of the tapestry’s busy drama and engaging realism.”
Graham Robb, Daily Telegraph

“The quality of Bridgeford’s research, and the originality of his suggestions, are delightful.”
Fiona Hook, Sunday Independent

“Cleverly and persuasively done”
Roger Miller, Washington Times

“Bridgeford is a persuasive and enthusiastic writer, and his tone is conversational. The book’s map and genealogical charts are enough to make any history buff salivate and the color reproductions of the tapestry are a treasure . . . a readable fascinating analysis of this mysterious work of art.”

Cleveland Plain Dealer

“A sustained argument which raises many important points.”

Professor Howard Clarke, Anglo-Norman Studies