The Bayeux Tapestry

Exhibition at the British Museum, London, 10 September 2026 – 11 July 2027

On exceptional loan from France to the British Museum, the Bayeux Tapestry is a unique historical embroidery, nearly 70 metres long, which chronicles the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England in 1066 by William, Duke of Normandy. Its account of 11th-century England and France is unrivalled, revealing details ranging from civil and military architecture to armour, navigation and everyday life.

This richly illustrated exhibition catalogue allows readers to follow the narrative visually, whilst texts written by international experts highlight the importance of this work for understanding this decisive turning point in European history. The latest research on the Tapestry is presented across five chapters which analyse its history, design and production, its status as an iconic work of art, and its depictions of everyday life.