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The Guardian
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Call for British Museum to take Bayeux tapestry to ‘1066 country'
The MP for Hastings and Rye has called on the British Museum to let the Bayeux tapestry spend time in '1066 country' when it comes to the UK, and to ensure the region reaps the benefits of the 'once-in-a-generation exhibition'. The tapestry will return to the UK for the first time in more than 900 years as part of a landmark loan agreement announced by the prime minister, Keir Starmer, and the French president, Emmanuel Macron. The 70-metre embroidered cloth, which depicts the 1066 Norman invasion and Battle of Hastings, will go on display at the British Museum from September next year. The Labour MP Helena Dollimore said it would be a 'great shame' if 1066 country – the area named after the battle – was locked out of 'this national moment'. 'Obviously, the practicalities and logistics would need to be looked at by experts, but our area is such an integral part of this tapestry that we must be included,' she said. In a letter to the British Museum chair, George Osborne, co-signed by the TV historian Dan Snow, Dollimore urged the museum to consult with French experts and curators to explore the viability of local English Heritage plans to take the tapestry to the south coast. She also called on the museum to ensure every local child had the opportunity to visit the exhibition by reserving free tickets and helping with the cost of transport to London; reserve at least 1,066 tickets to the exhibition for people from Hastings and the surrounding area, and support efforts to promote the region to exhibition visitors. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'Few works of art are as central to our island's story as the Bayeux tapestry, which quite literally wove Hastings into the fabric of our national history,' the letter says. 'Although Hastings and the rest of 1066 Country has often been at the centre of historical events, it has not always felt the benefits of it. The Sutton Trust recently found that Hastings and Rye ranks among the bottom 10 areas in the country for social mobility. 63% of young people leave school without the basic qualifications in maths and English GCSE. Like many coastal communities, it has been left behind for too long. 'Why not return this iconic piece of our heritage to the very ground where it all began in 1066? Whilst we acknowledge that it is for experts to decide what is feasible, the Hastings area must play its rightful part in this national moment.' Dollimore said there was a huge opportunity to bring tourists to the region. 'We've got Hastings Castle, We've got Battle Abbey, we've got Pevensey Castle over in Eastbourne, the 1066 walk. Other parts of the country make a big thing of their history. There's loads of signage, there's exhibitions. So there really is more we can do now that the nation's attention is going to be turned to the tapestry.' Sarah Broadbent, the chair of the 1066 Country tourism organisation, said she was confident the loan would spark people's curiosity about the events depicted and the places where they happened. 'There are few dates as memorable, the Norman conquest was such a significant turning point in English history and we're very proud to call ourselves 1066 Country,' she said. 'We're not only rich in history but also in landscape, in heritage and in culture. We might be tucked away in the corner of the south-east but we pack a punch well above our weight in terms of the visitor experience … this is our chance to showcase everything we have to offer.'
Reuters
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
France's Bayeux Tapestry to return to Britain after 900 years
LONDON, July 8 (Reuters) - France will lend Britain the Bayeux Tapestry, allowing the 11th century masterpiece to come back across the Channel for the first time in more than 900 years, in a show of friendship to mark President Emmanuel Macron's state visit. King Charles welcomed Macron for a three-day trip on Tuesday, aimed at celebrating the return of closer ties between London and Paris after Brexit, with the loan of the tapestry a symbol of kinship between the neighbours. Britain will in exchange loan France Anglo-Saxon and Viking treasures, in a deal to be announced by British culture minister Lisa Nandy and her French counterpart Rachida Dati later on Tuesday, a government statement said. While the precise origins of the 70-metre long Bayeux tapestry are obscure, it is said to have been the work of English embroiderers, whose stitching tells the story of the Norman invasion in 1066, and most famously the arrow which hit England's King Harold in the eye. In the years after William the Conquerer took the English throne, the tapestry was taken to France, where it has remained, displayed at the Bayeux Museum in Normandy since 1983. "The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most important and unique cultural artefacts in the world, which illustrates the deep ties between Britain and France and has fascinated people across geographies and generations," British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan said. The artwork will be shown at the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027, the statement said, while museums in Normandy, northern France, will host Britain's Sutton Hoo collection, consisting of metal artworks including helmets, shields and spoons from the seventh century. The French will also borrow Britain's Lewis Chessmen, a collection of chess pieces thought to have been crafted in Norway in the 12th century and found on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland.
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Bayeux Tapestry to return to UK for first time in more than 900 years
The Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the 1066 Norman invasion and Battle Of Hastings, is to return to England for the first time in more than 900 years. The tapestry will arrive in the UK at the British Museum next year on loan from France . In return, the British Museum will loan the Sutton Hoo collection, the Lewis chessmen and other items to France. The 70-metre-long work, which is more than 900 years old, depicts the battle which saw William The Conqueror take the English throne from Harold Godwinson and become the first Norman king of England. READ MORE It is widely accepted to have been made in England during the 11th century and was likely to have been commissioned by Bishop Odo Of Bayeux. It has been on display in various locations across France during its history, including most recently at the Bayeux Museum in Normandy. French president Emmanuel Macron said the exchanges of 'extraordinary national treasures' would be officially announced at the British Museum on Wednesday. 'The times of William the Conqueror are over – happily,' he said in an address to UK parliamentarians. 'I think these mutual loans of these extraordinary national treasures will involve fascinating human exchanges, which will certainly be positive for our future in terms of culture,' Mr Macron said. Director of the British Museum Nicholas Cullinan said: 'The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most important and unique cultural artefacts in the world, which illustrates the deep ties between Britain and France and has fascinated people across geographies and generations. '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.' The Sutton Hoo treasures, discovered as part of a seventh century Anglo-Saxon ship burial in Suffolk in 1939, provide insight into England during the period before the Norman Conquest. The Lewis chessmen are a collection of medieval chess pieces, mostly carved from walrus ivory, discovered on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland in 1831. Museums in Normandy will host the Sutton Hoo treasures while they are in France. Further details of the exhibition will be announced by the British Museum in due course, with the loan set to form part of a season of culture in 2027 celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of the birth of William The Conqueror, and the Grand Depart of the 2027 Tour de France from the UK. The tapestry will be displayed in the Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery of the British Museum between September 2026 and July 2027. – PA
The Independent
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Bayeux Tapestry to return to England for first time in more than 900 years
The Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the 1066 Norman invasion and Battle Of Hastings, is to return to England for the first time in more than 900 years. The tapestry will arrive in the UK at the British Museum next year on loan from France. In return, the British Museum will loan the Sutton Hoo collection, the Lewis Chessmen and other items to France. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: 'The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most iconic pieces of art ever produced in the UK and I am delighted that we will be able to welcome it here in 2026. 'This loan is a symbol of our shared history with our friends in France, a relationship built over centuries and one that continues to endure. 'The British Museum is one of the world's most visited museums and is a fitting place to host this most treasured piece of our nation's history.' The 70-metre-long work, which is more than 900-years-old, depicts the battle which saw William The Conqueror take the English throne from Harold Godwinson and become the first Norman king of England. It is widely accepted to have been made in England during the 11th century and was likely to have been commissioned by Bishop Odo Of Bayeux. It has been on display in various locations across France during its history, including most recently at the Bayeux Museum in Normandy. French President Emmanuel Macron said the exchanges of 'extraordinary national treasures' would be officially announced at the British Museum on Wednesday. 'The times of William the Conqueror are over – happily,' he said in an address to UK parliamentarians. 'I think these mutual loans of these extraordinary national treasures will involve fascinating human exchanges, which will certainly be positive for our future in terms of culture,' Mr Macron said. Director of the British Museum Nicholas Cullinan said: 'The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most important and unique cultural artefacts in the world, which illustrates the deep ties between Britain and France and has fascinated people across geographies and generations. '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. 'This is exactly the kind of international partnership that I want us to champion and take part in, sharing the best of our collection as widely as possible, and in return displaying global treasures never seen here before.' The Sutton Hoo treasures, discovered as part of a seventh century Anglo-Saxon ship burial in Suffolk in 1939, provide insight into England during the period before the Norman Conquest. Museums in Normandy will host the Sutton Hoo treasures while they are in France. Further details of the exhibition will be announced by the British Museum in due course, with the loan set to form part of a season of culture in 2027 celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of the birth of William The Conqueror, and the Grand Depart of the 2027 Tour de France from the UK. The tapestry will be displayed in the Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery of the British Museum between September 2026 and July 2027.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bayeux Tapestry to return to England for first time in more than 900 years
The Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the 1066 Norman invasion and Battle Of Hastings, is to return to England for the first time in more than 900 years. The tapestry will arrive in the UK at the British Museum next year on loan from France. In return, the British Museum will loan the Sutton Hoo collection, the Lewis Chessmen and other items to France. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: 'The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most iconic pieces of art ever produced in the UK and I am delighted that we will be able to welcome it here in 2026. 'This loan is a symbol of our shared history with our friends in France, a relationship built over centuries and one that continues to endure. 'The British Museum is one of the world's most visited museums and is a fitting place to host this most treasured piece of our nation's history.' The 70-metre-long work, which is more than 900-years-old, depicts the battle which saw William The Conqueror take the English throne from Harold Godwinson and become the first Norman king of England. It is widely accepted to have been made in England during the 11th century and was likely to have been commissioned by Bishop Odo Of Bayeux. It has been on display in various locations across France during its history, including most recently at the Bayeux Museum in Normandy. French President Emmanuel Macron said the exchanges of 'extraordinary national treasures' would be officially announced at the British Museum on Wednesday. 'The times of William the Conqueror are over – happily,' he said in an address to UK parliamentarians. 'I think these mutual loans of these extraordinary national treasures will involve fascinating human exchanges, which will certainly be positive for our future in terms of culture,' Mr Macron said. Director of the British Museum Nicholas Cullinan said: 'The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most important and unique cultural artefacts in the world, which illustrates the deep ties between Britain and France and has fascinated people across geographies and generations. '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. 'This is exactly the kind of international partnership that I want us to champion and take part in, sharing the best of our collection as widely as possible, and in return displaying global treasures never seen here before.' The Sutton Hoo treasures, discovered as part of a seventh century Anglo-Saxon ship burial in Suffolk in 1939, provide insight into England during the period before the Norman Conquest. Museums in Normandy will host the Sutton Hoo treasures while they are in France. Further details of the exhibition will be announced by the British Museum in due course, with the loan set to form part of a season of culture in 2027 celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of the birth of William The Conqueror, and the Grand Depart of the 2027 Tour de France from the UK. The tapestry will be displayed in the Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery of the British Museum between September 2026 and July 2027.
