The Bayeux Tapestry

by Sue Brunning (Editor), Lloyd de Beer (Editor), Michael Lewis (Editor)

Celebrating the landmark British Museum exhibition in 2026, this will be the essential volume on the tapestry for generations to comeThe Bayeux Tapestry is an iconic artwork, almost seventy meters long, which tells the story of the events leading to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 by William, Duke of Normandy. Its account of eleventh-century England and France is like no other, revealing details from civil and military architecture to armor, seafaring, and everyday life. It also includes an intriguing selection of popular fables, figures, and mythical creatures embroidered into its borders, contributing to its mystery and ambiguity.Featuring a full-color reproduction of the Tapestry and all-new photography, this beautiful book allows the reader to follow the visual narrative―with a scene-by-scene transliteration and English translation of the Tapestry’s Latin―while texts from international experts unpick the importance of the work in understanding this pivotal point in European history.Published to celebrate the landmark loan of the Tapestry to the British Museum in 2026, the first time it has been displayed outside of France in almost a thousand years, this timeless new book will become the essential volume about the Bayeux Tapestry for generations to come.Published in association with The British MuseumExhibition The British Museum, London(September 10, 2026-July 11, 2027)

Genres: Art, History

240 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2026

Reviews

[Alastair Broadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2014 during a British parliamentary by-election in Rochester, Kent, Nigel Farage, then leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), appeared in support of the candidate Mark Reckless, wearing a silk necktie decorated with images of the Bayeux Tapestry. For Farage, the Tapestry was a political device to be used in support of his political position: he told journalists who questioned his fashion choice that the events depicted on the tie represented 'the last time we were invaded and taken over'35 The same tie sold out within twenty-four hours. Some six years later, on 31 January 2020, Britain left the European Union - a cause vigorously fought for by Farage and his supporters. On the same day, France's regional tourist board for Normandy released an advert that depicted Farage wearing the Bayeux Tapestry tie, the entire image in monochrome except for his neckwear in full resplendent colour. The photograph's caption, in bold red on a white ground, declares:

'Some ties endure', with a description below suggesting that the Tapestry is 'a symbol of the history the UK shares with Normandy', and, ‘whatever your position, there will always be more to unite us than divide us'.

For Farage, the Tapestry was a quick and easy way of communicating a political message to the British public. For the tourist board, the Tapestry served to pinpoint a moment in time when Britain's and Normandy's futures became irrevocably intertwined.

[Cosmo van Steenis · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

The pictures in this book more than justify its cost. Colourful, large, high-resolution images of the entire tapestry and related historical artefacts make for a delightful book to study or keep on a coffee table.

The writing is less good. Because each chapter is authored by a different academic the book is heavily repetitive, reminding us that Emma is Edward’s mother and Edith his wife far more than is necessary. The editors should have pruned these repetitions out because the discussions are illuminating (like that the tapestry was nearly ripped up for use as a cart covering during the French Revolution or how the scenes of animals tearing each other apart below Harold’s feast could be a symbol for English greed).

There are also some chunks of history missing. While I realise neither Tostig nor Hardrada appear in the tapestry that does not mean they are not important to its story. It seems strange to print a book for the general reader about the Bayeux tapestry that does not discuss the battle of Stamford Bridge or Harold’s march south. Even a timeline of events would have been useful.

[Ruthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expensive (£35.00) but built to last (bit like the tapestry). Gives full colour reproduction of the whole 230 ft, 70m long embroidery. There are plenty of essays too. Somehow the collection of essays about different aspects of the tapestry don't quite hang together.

Having now seen the Tapestry, maybe I should go back to this guide as I may be able to understand it more - I admit to skip reading to get through it in time before my visit.

I'm convinced the original embroidery either didn't end there and a final piece is lost, or was intended to be even longer. The story seems to just stop. Surely the story's end is William's coronation on Christmas Day, a visual bookend to the image of Edward the Confessor at the very beginning. Maybe this is addressed, and I need to read more carefully.