OK, it is a temporary exchange of treasures - the French are getting the Lewis Chessmen and some of the Sutton Hoo hoard. In the 1000th anniversary of the birth of William the Conqueror, this 70 metre length of embroidery [it is not tapestry work, by the way!] is coming back to the land of its creation.
We asked to borrow it in 1953 [Coronation of Elizabeth II] and 1966 [900 years after the battle] and quondam Culture Secretary Matt Hancock* assured us in 2018 that it would be coming in 2022. [huh!]
But now there is a definite date, and it will be on display in the British Museum. Oh how I long to go and see it...
I have dreamed of seeing this for more than 55 years, ever since I laboriously copied a portion onto a bit of sheeting for a school project on mediaeval needlework. [I finally saw my other favourite French stitching, the Lady and The Unicorn, last year in Paris]
I am clearly not alone in this longing, poet Bryan Bilston has written a little ode, which I plan to print out and stick on the fridge...
Tapestry of Dreams
for sew long how I did yearn
to visit you in Bayeux
but with the conquest of the years
my hair is getting greyeux
for Time will wait for Norman
-that's one in the eye for me
yet hope hangs by a silver thread,
I now hear you'll cross the sea
oh, I'm on pins and needles
I've been waiting since my youth
no stitch-up or false-spun yarn
it's the unembroidered truth
Brian Bilston
Will you be going to see it do you think?
* I have always wanted to use the word quondam in a post. I am not at all fond of MH, so am pleased to have found an appropriate adjective for him at last.
I do hope you get to see it; fingers crossed for you and Brian Bilston!
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DeleteQuondam.....I love a new word. (That's new to me, obvs.) And like you, I cannot wait to go and see the Bayeux Tapestry. But after nearly a thousand years you'd think we could have made our own copy?
ReplyDeleteThere is one in Reading Museum, but the virtuous stitches embroidered discreet shorts over the soldiers'....equipment!
DeleteI'm sure you will get there and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteClever poem!
BB is so gifted
DeleteThat's exciting! I never got to see it in France and it would make the schlep to London on the train worth doing!
ReplyDeleteYes!
DeleteIt is wonderful that it is coming to the UK at last. I have a seen it in Bayeux but it will be marvellous for it to be exhibited here. I hope I can get to see it but I worry about queuing, not good at that now I'm 75 and wobbly with vertigo. We shall see. We live next door to Hastings so really have an added interest in the exhibition. I hope you are able to go. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI will take a small folding seat for the queue I think
DeleteFinally able to comment again as we were in the Borders last week with poor signal. We were there so that I could see The Great Tapestry of Scotland (also a series of embroideries) in its forever home and it was so worth the wait. I doubt we will see the Bayeux Tapestry as I couldn’t imagine persuading Norrie to come to London. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see the GTofS
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