The exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum is anticipated across the UK, as the medieval artwork is considered a symbol of the country's identity. The piece is not a tapestry in the strictest sense, as it is an embroidery on linen, but it is commonly referred to as such. This pictorial narrative, approximately 70 meters (230 feet) long, depicts the events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, culminating in the Battle of Hastings and William the Conqueror's victory over Harold II.
The Norman Conquest significantly changed England's politics, laws, and culture under Norman rule. The Bayeux Tapestry serves as a testament to this event and is regarded as an important symbol of British identity, alongside works like those of Shakespeare and Stonehenge. It is believed to have been commissioned by the Bishop of Bayeux, William's half-brother, from embroiderers in southern England for the opening of his cathedral in 1070. At that time, Anglo-Saxon embroiderers were renowned throughout Europe for their craftsmanship. The tapestry remained in France for nearly a thousand years before its current exhibition.
The Bayeux Tapestry is recognized as one of the most significant pictorial monuments of the High Middle Ages. Many researchers view it as a crafted piece of propaganda that illustrated William the Conqueror's victory. The narrative suggests that Harold Godwinson, then Earl of Wessex, had sworn an oath to support William's claim to the English throne and broke this oath when he was crowned king, portraying the war as just punishment. The accuracy of this claim is debated among historians.
The embroidery is part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Register and features 58 pictorial scenes, sometimes referred to as "the world's oldest comic." It includes Latin inscriptions and depicts various aspects of war, including violence and the death of a king, while also serving as a valuable historical document that illustrates shipbuilding, military equipment, and daily life in medieval times. Halley's Comet, visible in 1066, is also depicted, interpreted by the Anglo-Saxons as a bad omen.
The tapestry is owned by the French state and had been on display at the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux. Previous attempts by Britain to borrow the tapestry for significant events, such as the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953, were declined due to concerns about its fragility. However, President Emmanuel Macron approved its exhibition at the British Museum last year, despite expert concerns.
In September, the tapestry was carefully packaged and stored before arriving in London on July 9 in a specialized container designed to protect it from vibrations and maintain a stable environment. The British government has insured the artwork for £800 million (approximately €932 million or $1 billion).
The British Museum has structured ticket sales into three phases, with the first phase from September to December selling out quickly. Reports indicate that up to 80,000 people attempted to secure tickets simultaneously, with some waiting up to nine hours. Additional tickets for January to March will go on sale on October 21, and tickets for April to July will be available in January.
The exhibition is promoted as a "once-in-a-generation" event, accompanied by an educational program for schools across the UK. The British Museum aims to set a new visitor record, surpassing the 1.7 million visitors attracted by the 1972 exhibition of "The Treasures of Tutankhamun."
For those unable to secure tickets, a faithful replica of the tapestry can be viewed in Reading, approximately two hours west of London. This replica was created in 1885 by 35 embroiderers over the course of a year, using colored photographs as references. However, some figures were altered to conform to Victorian standards, resulting in one figure being depicted wearing underwear instead of being nude as in the original.