Turold of Bayeux facts for kids
Turold of Bayeux was a Norman knight who lived a long time ago. We know about him from two very old and important records: the Bayeux Tapestry and the Domesday Book.
The Bayeux Tapestry is like a giant embroidered comic strip that tells the story of the Norman conquest of England. The Domesday Book was a huge survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror in 1086. It listed who owned what land.
Turold was a "vassal" of Odo of Bayeux, who was a powerful bishop and William the Conqueror's half-brother. This means Turold held land from Bishop Odo in a place called Kent. Turold also became a "Constable" of Bayeux, which was an important job, like a high-ranking officer. However, he lost his power when Bishop Odo fell out of favor.
Who Was Turold on the Bayeux Tapestry?
The Bayeux Tapestry shows many people, but only a few important ones are named. Their names are usually stitched right above their heads. This makes it a bit tricky to figure out exactly who Turold was on the tapestry.
Some people think Turold is shown as a messenger wearing red. This messenger is riding a horse. Others believe Turold is a different person: a smaller man who is holding the messenger's horse. This smaller figure looks like a "jongleur," which was a type of entertainer or minstrel.
It's also important to remember that "Turold" was a common name back then. So, it's possible that more than one person named Turold appears on the tapestry, or that the Turold on the tapestry isn't the same Turold from the Domesday Book.
Turoldus and the Chanson de Roland
The smaller figure on the tapestry, who might be a jongleur, has led some historians to wonder if he could be "Turoldus." This name is mentioned at the end of a very famous old French poem called the Chanson de Roland (The Song of Roland).
Jongleurs were often very skilled storytellers and performers. So, it's possible that a jongleur named Turoldus could have written or performed this famous poem.
However, just like with the Bayeux Tapestry, "Turold" was a popular name. Most historians today think that the Turoldus mentioned in the Chanson de Roland is probably a different person entirely from anyone shown on the Bayeux Tapestry.
See also
- Turoldus the poet.
- Turold de Brémoy
