The wait is finally over! Bayeux Tapestry goes on show to public at London’s British MuseumThe tapestry – the woven record of the Norman conquest – has returned to the UK for the first time in almost 1,000 years
Allow Exco Player content
This content is provided by Exco Player and may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click ‘Allow and Continue’ below to load the content.
Jordan Reynolds1 minute ago
The Bayeux Tapestry is about to be unveiled to an eager public at the British Museum.
The tapestry – the woven record of the Norman conquest – has returned to the UK for the first time in almost 1,000 years, on loan until September 2027 as part of a special trilateral agreement between the UK, France and the museum.
Special conservation and security measures are in place to ensure the 70-metre long artefact’s safety while it is in the UK.
The tapestry is considered to be one of the wonders of the medieval world and offers an insight into life in 11th century England both before and after the conquest – from castles, warfare and ships to clothing, food and furniture.
The King and Queen viewed the tapestry with France’s President Emmanuel Macron and PM Andy Burnham (Richard Pohle/The Times/PA)
It was likely to have been commissioned by a Norman patron and made by English embroiderers, using manuscript drawings from Canterbury.
Michael Lewis, one of the four curators of the exhibition, said: “1066 is, of course, one of the most important events in English history, and the tapestry is the ultimate reflection of that in terms of a visual narrative.
“Some people see it as akin to a graphic novel or a cartoon or something like that, it’s immediately recognisable.
“When they look at it, they can get it straight away. It’s not like a dusty history book where it’s quite hard to decipher.
“There’s action going on, and even if you don’t understand all of the story, you enjoy it.
“So, I think that’s what makes the Bayeux Tapestry such an important thing. And, of course, the fact that the French state has allowed it to come to the UK and be displayed at the British Museum is an enormous act of diplomacy.
“So, it’s a fantastic thing to have happened, and I’m just so happy that it’s happened in my lifetime.
“I think people will be talking about this for generations and generations, that they were there in London to see the Bayeux Tapestry when it came to this country, and hopefully they’ll be inspired to go to Bayeux as well.”
Read More
Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum: An extraordinary masterpiece
Bayeux Tapestry exhibition ‘an enormous act of diplomacy’, says museum curator
Tickets to visit Victorian Palm Houses on sale after five-year closure
Art After Dark is back with an exciting calendar of cultural events
Tickets to the exhibition are sold out until the next release on October 21.
The Bayeux Tapestry is at the British Museum from September 10 to July 11 2027.
MORE ABOUT