Bayeux Tapestry exhibition opens in London: 100,000 tickets sold
An exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry — a medieval embroidery depicting the Norman conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066 — opened at the British Museum in London, United Kingdom, on September 10. This is the first display of the work outside France. As Channel NewsAsia reports, the museum has already sold a record 100,000 tickets for the exhibition.
The approximately 70-metre-long embroidery arrived in the United Kingdom from the French city of Bayeux after years of diplomatic negotiations. It is to be displayed in London until July 2027. The tapestry is believed to have been created in England nearly a thousand years ago and later transported to Bayeux.
A symbol of trust
King Charles III called the temporary transfer of the tapestry “a precious symbol of trust at a time when trust between nations is unfortunately lacking.” According to the outlet, the loan is also seen as a symbol of renewed ties between France and the United Kingdom after tensions linked to Brexit.
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Adult tickets cost from £25 to £33. After entering, visitors have 40 minutes to view the exhibition. The tapestry, featuring 627 human figures and more than 700 animals, has been placed horizontally in a raised glass display case, whereas it was displayed vertically in Bayeux.
Condition of the embroidery
The 11th-century work was transported by truck from northern France to London in July. The French side said that two broken threads were discovered during a full inspection of the embroidery’s condition. The British Museum stated that the work remained “virtually unchanged” and that thread breaks several millimetres long are not considered significant damage.
Exhibition curator Michael Lewis said that the tapestry is of fundamental importance to British history. At the same time, a Victorian copy of the work at Reading Museum has attracted greater attention, while the site of the Battle of Hastings expects more visitors.
