Odo of Bayeux Biography

Birth of Odo of Bayeux, son of Herleva & Herluin de Conteville

Birth of Odo of Bayeux,son of William the Conquerors mother Herleva, and Herluin de Conteville

William makes Odo Bishop of Bayeux

Odo became Bishop of Bayeux through the patronage of his half-brother William, Duke of Normandy.

Odo continued construction of the large Romanesque cathedral begun under Hugh d'Ivry.

Succeeds as Count of Savoy

Founds the Abbaye de Troarn

Odo's cathedral and relics are traditionally associated with the oath portrayed in the Bayeux Tapestry.

Present at the Battle of Hastings

The Bayeux Tapestry depicts Odo blessing food at a feast before the Battle of Hastings.

Supplies William with 100 ships to invade England

Odo helped provide resources and support for William's preparations to invade England.

The Bayeux Tapestry depicts Odo rallying Norman soldiers with a club during the battle.

Assists his half-brother William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings

Appointed William I the Conquerors deputy in England, assisted by William Fitz Osbern

Commissions the Bayeux Tapestry

Created Earl of Kent, by his half-brother William the Conqueror

Odo becomes Earl of Kent

Couching stitch, now often called Bayeux stitch, filled large coloured surfaces in the embroidery.

The embroidery portrays castles, churches, halls, and other buildings from the conquest narrative.

The surviving narrative contains more than six hundred human figures.

The surviving embroidery measures approximately sixty-eight metres in length.

Woad, madder, and weld supplied blue, red, brown, orange, and yellow colours for the wool.

Decorative borders contain real animals, mythical creatures, fables, and scenes related to the central narrative.

The embroidery depicts more than two hundred horses and mules.

The embroidery was made on nine joined panels of woven linen cloth.

Coloured wool thread was embroidered onto linen to create the narrative scenes.

Most historians consider Odo the probable patron who commissioned the embroidery for his cathedral.

Tried in front of a large and senior assembly over the course of three days at Penenden Heath in Kent for defrauding the Crown and the diocese of Canterbury. Forced to return a number of properties and his assets were re-apportioned

Commissioned by Williams half brother, Bishop Odo, possibly completed by 1077 in time for display on the cathedrals dedication. Assuming Odo commissioned the tapestry, it was probably designed and constructed in England by Anglo-Saxon artists given that Odos main power base was in Kent

The embroidery was probably intended to decorate the nave of Odo's newly dedicated cathedral.

Appointed Justiciar, highest official in England

The Bayeux Tapestry is first shown at the dedication of Bayeux Cathedral

Commissioned by William the Conquerors half brother, Bishop Odo

Odo dedicated the Romanesque cathedral after decades of construction.

Commissions a tapestry to celebrate the Norman Capture of England

Disgraced and imprisoned for having planned a military expedition to Italy

Disgraced and imprisoned for having planned a military expedition to Italy

Disgraced and imprisoned for having planned a military expedition to Italy

Arrested by William I the Conqueror for conspiring to become Pope

Arrested by William I the Conqueror for conspiring to become Pope

Released after the death of William I the Conqueror

William, on his deathbed in 1087, was reluctantly persuaded by their brother Robert, Count of Mortain to release Odo

Released after the death of William I the Conqueror

William, on his deathbed in 1087, was reluctantly persuaded by their brother Robert, Count of Mortain to release Odo

After the King's death Odo returned to his earldom and soon organized a rebellion in support of Williams son Robert Curthose

"How can we give proper service to 2 distant & mutuallly hostile lords?"

Odo had control of Rochester castle, but is forced into exile by William Rufus

The Rebellion of 1088 failed, and William Rufus, to the disgust of his supporters, permitted Odo to leave the kingdom

Odo had control of Rochester castle, but is forced into exile by William Rufus

Death of Odo of Bayeux

A cathedral inventory recorded the embroidery traditionally associated with Odo among its church treasures.