Professor Leonie Hicks explores why the Bayeux Tapestry has become the must see exhibition of the year.

Last week the British Museum experienced Oasis-like queues for tickets for its Bayeux Tapestry exhibition which opens in September. Why? What is it about this artefact that has generated such enthusiasm?

The exhibition marks the first time the Tapestry has visited the UK since it was commissioned and made in the eleventh century. Previous attempts at agreeing a loan with the French government failed in 1953 for the late Queen’s coronation and in 1966 to mark the 900^th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. The exhibition represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Tapestry in the UK while its home museum is undergoing renovation.

The Tapestry has a special place in British history as it tells the story of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It has particular resonances for the South East. The likely patron was Bishop Odo of Bayeux, who was made earl of Kent, and it was most probably made at St Augustine’s abbey in Canterbury. Pevensey and Hastings in Sussex are depicted showing the progress of the Normans through the south. These are real places and make a tangible connection between our present and our past.

Due to the nature of the artwork, the Tapestry is very meme-able. It can be used to comment on current politics or mark memorable events. The New Yorker magazine’s cover for 15 July 1944 depicted D-Day in the style of the Tapestry with landing craft instead of boats. More recently, The New Statesmen’s cover showed Andy Burham on horseback advancing on Kier Starmer standing in for Harold with an arrow in his eye. The margins contained Big Ben and Larry the cat. We even had our own chalk Tapestry on campus for this year’s medieval pageant.

The British Museum exhibition is a fantastic and unique opportunity to generate enthusiasm for a period of history that is a key component of the school curriculum and it is good to see the Museum offering free entry to under-16s. It’s also an excellent lead into the Millenium: 2027 European Year of the Normans where the public will be able to find out more about how 1066 and all that shaped our history.

Leonie Hicks is Professor of Medieval Studies.