Is the Bayeux Tapestry an Invasion of England?

Is the Bayeux Tapestry an Invasion of England?

From Mark and Pete by Mark and Pete

June 11, 2026 · 12 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the challenges and implications of moving the Bayeux Tapestry from France to the British Museum.

The Bayeux Tapestry is coming back to Britain, nearly 1,000 years after the Battle of Hastings, and naturally everyone is being very calm and sensible about it. By which we mean there are special crates, vibration tests, conservation reports, political speeches, nervous curators, and the faint sound of historians breathing into paper bags. In this episode of Mark and Pete, we look at the extraordinary plan to move the Bayeux Tapestry from France to the British Museum, where it is expected to go on display from September 2026 to July 2027. The famous 11th-century embroidery, more than 70 metres long, tells the story of William the Conqueror, King Harold, the Norman invasion, and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It is one of the most important surviving artefacts of medieval European history. Also, awkwardly, it is very old, very delicate, and not terribly keen on being bundled into a lorry like a Victorian sideboard. The experts say the move can be done safely, using climate-controlled transport, shock absorption, vibration monitoring and careful conservation planning. Critics say that even with all the clever equipment in the world, light, movement, humidity changes and handling…

People in this episode

Hosts: Mark, Pete

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Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Bayeux Tapestry

Places: Britain, France

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