For the first time in nearly 1,000 years, the legendary medieval tapestry depicting the Norman Conquest will be shown in the United Kingdom — a unique opportunity for anyone planning to travel there in the near future.
The temporary loan of the Bayeux Tapestry was announced while French President Emmanuel Macron was visiting the United Kingdom earlier this week.
The tapestry will be on display at one of the top museums in the world — the British Museum in London — from Sept. 2026 to July 2027. Measuring some 230 feet long, the tapestry is one of the world’s most famous medieval artworks.
The piece of art vividly depicts the events surrounding the Norman Conquest, with an emphasis on the Battle of Hastings. The conquest took place in 1066, when Normans invaded the British Isles from France and seized power from the Anglo-Saxons.
The tapestry was likely created in the 1070s, a few years after the 1066 conquest. Historians believe that Bishop Odo of Bayeux commissioned the art, which was likely produced in England before being brought to France.
The Bayeux Museum in Normandy indicates that the intricate tapestry features 626 characters, 37 buildings, 41 ships and 202 horses and mules.