The Bayeux Tapestry has gone on display at the British Museum at last, despite the fears of some conservators that transporting it to London would cause irreparable damage. In the event, two threads were found to be broken when the Tapestry was inspected after arriving in London. The British Museum was quick to point out that this damage could have occurred at any stage since September 2025, when the historic embroidery was removed from display, and its unpacking in July 2026.
Nevertheless, French opponents of the loan declared this to be vindication of their worst fears. Under the headline ‘Darn it’, The Times reported that the inch-by-inch examination of the Tapestry and the determination of the French to find recent damage was like ‘returning a hired car’. One witty commentator asserted: ‘it’s a stitch-up: the French will be after compensation’; another suggested that, to avoid further damage on the return journey, the Tapestry would obviously have to remain at the British Museum.
Tickets for the exhibition sold out in 24 hours, though there are plans for a further release on 21 October (6 October for British Museum members). Those who fail to get tickets could head for Reading Museum to see the facsimile. This, however, is not an entirely faithful copy as the 35 ladies of the Leek Embroidery Society who created the replica in 1886 took exception to the 93 penises visible in the original; their version adds stripey trousers to the naked human figures and omits the equine protrusions.
