The Bayeux Tapestry Arrives in London

The Bayeux Tapestry has finally arrived in the United Kingdom. After a few years of debate and uncertainty the historic loan has been realised. It was delivered overnight to the British Museum last week amidst high security. This all follows an historic agreement between France, promoted by President Macron, and the British Government. The 70-metre-long tapestry, or more correctly embroidery, depicts events either side of the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

William meets Harold in Normandy, The Bayeux Tapestry, dyed wool embroidered on linen, 11th century, Bayeux (on loan to British Museum)

The British Museum will be its home from September 2026 to July 2027 and it will surely be the great exhibition for this generation. Already the first tranche of tickets up to December are sold out. As part of the agreement the French will be loaned the Sutton Hoo gold horde and the Lewis chessmen carved in walrus marble from the museum’s collections. All these three are survivors of the rich early medieval cultural world.

Harold swears oath to William on two reliquaries, The Bayeux Tapestry, dyed wool embroidered on linen, 11th century, Bayeux (on loan to British Museum)

The Tapestry is believed to have been created by English embroiderers from Kent under the patronage of Bishop Odo, William the Conqueror’s half brother. It was his cathedral at Bayeux where it was eventually housed and displayed annually for centuries. It is now held permanently in the Bayeux Museum and it is the refurbishment of that building that has promoted the loan.

Harold claims English throne after death of Edward the Confessor, The Bayeux Tapestry, dyed wool embroidered on linen, 11th century, Bayeux (on loan to British Museum)

In the words of the museum The Bayeux Tapestry is “One of the wonders of the medieval world, it offers a vision of life in 11th-century England both before and after the Conquest, from castles, warfare and ships to clothing, food and furniture.” A note on Harold’s death in the Battle of Hastings. English primary schools always promoted the idea he was shot in the eye by an arrow, a story invented in the nineteenth century. It was more acceptable than what really happened to defeated kings in gruesome medieval warfare.

The passing of Halley’s Comet in 1066, an omen, The Bayeux Tapestry, dyed wool embroidered on linen, 11th century, Bayeux (on loan to British Museum) — The passing of Halley’s comet in 1066, an omen, The Bayeux Tapestry, dyed wool embroidered on linen, 11th century, Bayeux (on loan to British Museum)

It is however a fabulous piece of Romanesque art, a miraculous survivor of history that includes being taken by Napoleon and Nazi Germany, and wonderful that it will be in England for nearly a year. Those that follow my blog know I have spent time reporting on the tapestry, its copy in Reading Museum and the inter-government loan which has been on the horizon for many years. Below are links to some of these posts together with a link to the British Museum website.