The tapestry will go on display in London for the first time in almost 1,000 years
It is now just a few months until the Bayeux Tapestry makes its controversial return to England after almost a millennium. The famous tapestry depicting the Norman Conquest will go on display at the British Museum from Thursday, September 10, until July 11, 2027.
News of the tapestry’s journey across the Channel sent the art world into a frenzy, with fears the slightest shift in the air could disintegrate the centuries-old fabric, leading to it being insured by the British Government for an eye-watering £800 million while in the nation’s safe-keeping. The exhibition will also feature silver pennies from the Chew Valley Hoard as well as a head-spinning recreation of an 11th century forest within the museum.
It’s for these reasons that the exhibition will be relatively pricey compared to other British Museum displays, with tickets to see the Bayeux Tapestry levied at £33 per adult at peak times, down to £27 at off-peak times, while super off-peak tickets will be sold £25 in the final slot of each weekday. Under-16s can enter for free if accompanied by an adult, while ArtFund National Art Pass holders can enter for £16.50.
Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, described the tapestry as “one of the most important and unique cultural artefacts in the world”. He added: “It is hard to overstate the significance of this extraordinary opportunity of displaying it at the British Museum and we are profoundly grateful to everyone involved.
“This will be the first time the Bayeux tapestry has been in the UK since it was made, almost 1,000 years ago. We are also delighted to send the Lewis chessmen, and some of our treasures from Sutton Hoo – the greatest archaeological discovery in Britain – to France in return.”
Featuring 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses, the 700-metre tapestry depicts the events leading to William’s successful invasion, from the death of Edward the Confessor, to Harold Godwinson’s uprising. Finally William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, where poor Harold was struck down with an arrow in the eye. One wonders how the Saxon women, who may have lost menfolk, must have felt sewing the world’s first piece of propaganda for their new Norman overlords.
Britain has attempted to loan the tapestry previously – in 1931, 1953 and 1966 – without success. Now, with excitement brimming at its return to London, Time Out magazine has ranked it as the number one thing to do in Britain this year, writing: “It’s a huge deal that Brits will finally be able to cast their eyes over [it].”
But not everyone is thrilled. The artist David Hockney, who has seen the tapestry over 20 times, wrote in The Independent that moving the frail, ancient embroidery is a “significant risk”, adding: “Even minor mishandling could cause irreversible damage. It has survived so far like a miracle, being hidden away for 300 years until it was displayed permanently in the 1800s.”
The Bayeux Tapestry will go on display at The British Museum this autumn.
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