Guardian readers have responded to Jonathan Jones's article on great medieval art beyond the Bayeux tapestry, offering diverse perspectives on Britain's medieval heritage.
Anglo-Saxon Origins of the Bayeux Tapestry
Roy Musgrove of Crickhowell, Powys, challenges Jones's assertion that medieval art came to Britain with the Normans. He notes that the Bayeux tapestry was almost certainly embroidered by Anglo-Saxon women from Kent, whose husbands may have died at Hastings. The quality of English embroidery, known as Opus Anglicanum, was renowned across Europe before 1066. Musgrove suggests the tapestry's creators were compelled by Odo of Bayeux under Norman coercion. He argues that Norman contributions, while significant, resulted in a merger of cultures rather than replacement.
The Cost of Free Access
Rev Tim Evans from Lancaster takes issue with Jones's claim that much medieval art is free. He points out that churches and cathedrals without entry fees still require millions for maintenance. Evans urges visitors to donate generously, noting that the government's removal of VAT exemption on church repairs has increased costs by 20%. He cites Durham Cathedral as an example where a £5 fee is minimal compared to the value of access.
Newcastle's Norman Keep
Heather Welford, a volunteer guide at Newcastle Castle, highlights the city's 12th-century Norman keep as a medieval treasure. She describes it as the best-preserved in England, featuring a small chapel, challenging staircases, and panoramic views. Welford also notes the Victorian railway bridges built between the keep and the Black Gate barbican, which carry trains within a metre of the keep's base.
Pre-Norman Art Treasures
Paul Smith from Claybrooke Parva, Leicestershire, counters Jones's view that continental Europe was more advanced, citing the Lindisfarne Gospels, Sutton Hoo treasures, Alfred Jewel, and Staffordshire hoard. He argues that Norman art often served to dominate a defeated society, comparing it to fascist art in Nazi Germany.
A Recommendation for Free Beauty
Robert Tilleard of Salisbury recommends Simon Jenkins's book England's Thousand Best Churches as a guide to free medieval beauty.
