Odo of Bayeux Biography and Timeline

Birth of Odo of Bayeux

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

Birth of Odo of Bayeux

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

Bishop

William makes Odo Bishop of Bayeux

Bishop of Bayeux

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Construction of Bayeux Cathedral

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Succession

Succeeds as Count of Savoy

Abbaye de Troarn

Founds the Abbaye de Troarn

Oath at Bayeux

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Battle of Hastings

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

Role range: 1066-1066 – 1050-1097

Battle of Hastings

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

Feast before Hastings

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Invasion Preparations

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

Role range: 1066-1066 – 1050-1097

Battle of Hastings

Present at the Battle of Hastings

Invasion of England

Supplies William with 100 ships to invade England

Bishop

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

Role range: 1077-1082

Commission

Commissions the Bayeux Tapestry

Role range: 1077-1082

Peerage

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

Role range: 1077-1082

Peerage

Odo becomes Earl of Kent

Bayeux Stitch

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Bayeux Tapestry Buildings

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Bayeux Tapestry Characters

The surviving narrative contains more than six hundred human figures.

Role range: 1050-1097

Bayeux Tapestry Dimensions

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Bayeux Tapestry Dyes

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Bayeux Tapestry Friezes

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Bayeux Tapestry Horses

The embroidery depicts more than two hundred horses and mules.

Role range: 1050-1097

Bayeux Tapestry Linen

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Bayeux Tapestry Wool

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Commission of Bayeux Tapestry

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Trial

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

Bayeux Cathedral

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

Role range: 1077-1082

Bayeux Tapestry

Commissioned by William the Conquerors half brother, Bishop Odo

Role range: 1077-1082

Dedication of Bayeux Cathedral

Odo dedicated the Romanesque cathedral after decades of construction.

Role range: 1050-1097

Justiciar

Appointed Justiciar, highest official in England

Role range: 1077-1082

Display of Bayeux Tapestry

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

Role range: 1050-1097

Bayeux Tapestry

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

Commission

Commissions a tapestry to celebrate the Norman Capture of England

Arrest of Odo of Bayeux

Disgraced and imprisoned for having planned a military expedition to Italy

Arrest

Disgraced and imprisoned for having planned a military expedition to Italy

Invasion of France

Disgraced and imprisoned for having planned a military expedition to Italy

Arrest of Odo of Bayeux

Arrested by William I the Conqueror for conspiring to become Pope