Odo of Bayeux

He funded ships for the Norman invasion of England and is one of the very few proven companions of William the Conqueror known to have fought at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

The Bayeux Tapestry, probably commissioned by him to adorn his own cathedral, appears to labour the point that he did not actually fight, that is to say shed blood, at Hastings, but rather encouraged the troops from the rear.

The Latin annotation embroidered onto the Tapestry above his image reads: HIC ODO EPS BACULU TENENS CONFORTAT PUEROS ("EPS" abbreviating episcopus "bishop" and "BACULU" omitting a final m – baculum "cudgel"), in English "Here Odo the bishop holding a club strengthens the boys".

It has been suggested that his clerical status forbade him from using a sword,[1] though this is doubtful: the club was a common weapon and used often by leadership[2] including by Duke William himself, as also depicted in the same part of the Tapestry.

[3] On some occasions when William was absent (back in Normandy), he served as regent of England,[4] and at times he led the royal forces against rebellions (e.g. the Revolt of the Earls): the precise sphere of his powers is not certain.

[6] Whatever the reason, Odo spent the next five years in prison and his English estates were taken back by the king, as was his office as Earl of Kent.

[7]: 450–452 Odo joined the First Crusade as part of his nephew Robert's army that was bound for Jerusalem, but died on the way whilst visiting Palermo in January or February 1097.

[4] William Stearns Davis writes in Life on a Medieval Barony (1923): Bishop Odo of Bayeux fought at Hastings (1066) before any such authorized champions of the church existed. ...