Bayeux Tapestry will not be hung again after Britain visit

The Bayeux Tapestry's loan to the British Museum for the 1000th anniversary of the Norman invasion may seem arbitrary, but the timing could not be better. The return of the 70-meter long tapestry to England, unencumbered by cultural diplomacy, allows for a much-needed conversation about the environmental war we are facing. As the tapestry unfolds with its vivid imagery of trees, horses, waves, and bestiary creatures, it becomes clear that the world depicted is far more exotic than that of 11th-century France and Britain.

The narrative unfolds with Harold's ill-fated envoy to France, his duplicity upon return, and the eventual invasion, culminating in the scene of tumbling horses symbolizing the utter defeat of the English. This upheaval and change, bringing a feeling of catastrophic upheaval, makes the Bayeux exhibition significant at this juncture in history.

The recent UN announcement that we have surpassed the 1.5°C warming limit sets the stage for a discussion on climate change and its impact on the world. The joint intelligence committee report warns of the catastrophic effects of ecosystem collapse on life on Earth, including food shortages, mass migration, and devastating war. Museums, as guardians of human culture, should plan for this future and commission resilience plans.

The British Museum could consider commissioning a 'Bayeux Report' to commemorate the historic loan and project the role of the museum in a changing world over the next 40 years, especially with the potential end of mass tourism and the rise of climate migration.