A bonanza of Bayeux Tapestry books to accompany the blockbuster British Museum exhibition

The blockbuster Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum, opening from September 10, 2027, to July 11, 2027, has generated significant attention. Ticket sales for the exhibition on its first day alone generated over £2.5 million, marking the "single biggest day of ticket sales in [the British Museum’s] history," according to museum officials.

Despite ticket availability proving challenging, numerous publications on the medieval masterpiece are available for those seeking to explore the tapestry's history and significance.

In celebration of the exhibition, the British Museum Press is launching eight new publications related to the show, catering to readers of all ages and budgets. A children's board book titled "My Bayeux ABC" introduces young children to the alphabet through the imagery of the Bayeux Tapestry, while "The Bayeux Tapestry: The Graphic Novel" offers an engaging and entertaining take on the 1066 Norman invasion and the Battle of Hastings.

For those with a greater budget, the £200 cased, hardback Collectors' Edition features two sections: a full-color reproduction of the tapestry and a separate curatorial commentary. The reproduction includes a transliteration and English translation of the original Latin inscriptions, providing historical context. The publication is edited by a team of curators from the museum, including Sue Brunning and Lloyd de Beer.

Additionally, existing titles such as "The Bayeux Tapestry: The Life Story of a Masterpiece" by Carola Hicks and "The Story of the Bayeux Tapestry: Unravelling the Norman Conquest" by David Musgrove and Michael Lewis have been reevaluated in light of the tapestry's arrival in the UK. Various institutions, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, Westminster Cathedral, and the towns of Hastings and Battle, have expressed interest in hosting the tapestry, demonstrating its cultural significance.