Angers - Tapestry of the Apocalypse

 Angers is a hidden gem. We chose it for its transport convenience, but it has a thriving local tourist industry as well. It isn't one of the French icons, and is heaps less crowded than Paris. just lovely to wander around.

First port of call was the Chateau d'Angers.  I had heard about the famous tapestry of the Apocalypse housed there, and it was truly lovely.  It was commissioned by the Duke of Anjou, and woven in the fourteenth centurey.  The blurb said that it was to give his people hope, and presumably to unify them as well, after all the disasters and plagues they had faced.  Apparently it was based on the Book of Revelations, written by John.

The only thing I knew about Revelations was when my mother's cousin - Jean - that part of the family were Jehovah's Witnesses - had called me aside and read some of Revelations to me.  I remember her telling me that the lamb shall lay down with the lion - or words to that effect.  I remember thinking that it was a brave lamb who would do that!

I was too busy reading captions - all in french - to take pics.  But here are some here, courtesy of Wikipedia..

 

 

The tapestry was woven, and finer than I have seen before. Imagine the fourteenth century artists being told to reproduce the Book of Revelations - you would have to plan your panels, draw the pictures, then plan the weaving, and organise the colours that you needed.  The tapestries are quite a feat.