AR / ITEM / 00100384
Plate I
The Bayeux Tapestry
Anglo-Norman · maker unknown
The embroidered account of the Norman conquest of England in 1066, kept at Bayeux since at least 1476 and on loan to the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027.
- Date
- Late 11th century
- Collection
- Bayeux Museum
Provenance and history
The embroidery was probably commissioned in the 11th century to decorate the new cathedral at Bayeux. The cathedral treasury inventory of 1476 is its first record: it was hung in the nave once a year and otherwise kept in a chest. Local tradition holds that in 1792 it was nearly cut up for cart covers and saved by the lawyer Léonard Lambert-Leforestier; in 1794 the Arts Commission seized it on behalf of the Nation. Napoleon had it shown at the Musée Napoléon in Paris from 6 December 1803 to 18 February 1804. From 1812 it was kept at Bayeux's town hall, from 1842 on permanent display, and since 1983 in the Séminaire de Bayeux. In September 2026 it left France for the first time, on loan to the British Museum until July 2027 while the Bayeux museum is renovated.
late 11th century
Probably commissioned to decorate Bayeux CathedralE
1476
Recorded in the Bayeux Cathedral treasury inventoryE
Hung in the nave once a year and kept in a wooden chest the rest of the time.
1794
Seized on behalf of the Nation by the Arts CommissionE
Local tradition holds that in 1792 it was nearly used as cart covers.
6 December 1803 – 18 February 1804
Exhibited at the Musée Napoléon, ParisE
1842
Placed on permanent display in BayeuxE
1983–2026
Displayed at the Séminaire de BayeuxA
10 September 2026 – 11 July 2027
Lent to the British MuseumB
Its first journey outside France, while the Bayeux museum is renovated.
In the Tapestry
- Depicts
- William the ConquerorD
- Depicts
- Harold GodwinsonA
- Depicts
- Odo of BayeuxA
- Depicts
- Edward the ConfessorA
- Associated with
- Odo of BayeuxAmedium confidence
- Depicts · 14 October 1066
- Battle of HastingsB
- Depicts · 1066
- Norman conquest of EnglandB
- Exhibited at · 1803–1804
- Louvre MuseumE
- Exhibited at · 10 September 2026 – 11 July 2027
- British MuseumB
- Exhibited at
- Bayeux Tapestry MuseumC
Record
- Culture
- Anglo-Norman
- Period
- 11th century
- Medium
- Wool embroidery on linen
- Dimensions
- 0.5 × 68.38 m
- Owner
- French State
Sources
- A
Wikipedia, 'Bayeux Tapestry'
↗ View original record - B
- C
Bayeux Museum, 'An historic loan: Bayeux Tapestry to be displayed at the British Museum from 2026'
Catalogue record
↗ View original record - D
- E
