HAB Students Experience 1,000 years of History with the Bayeux Tapestry

For the first time since it was created nearly 1,000 years ago, the Bayeux Tapestry has returned to England — giving 37 of our Year 11 and HAB6 students a rare opportunity to see one of the most remarkable surviving records of the Norman Conquest.

The extraordinary 70-metre-long embroidered work tells the story of the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, culminating in the Battle of Hastings and the defeat of King Harold by William the Conqueror.

Our History and French students visited the exhibition to see this remarkable story unfold in front of them. They were fascinated not only by the events depicted in the Tapestry, but by the fact that something created almost a millennium ago has survived for them to experience today.

For some of our Year 13 students, the visit also brought back memories of seeing the Tapestry in its home in Bayeux during the school trip to Normandy in 2023.

The exhibition prompted plenty of discussion about William, Harold and the events surrounding the Battle of Hastings — including the rather definite verdict from one student: “Harold is a traitor!”

Most importantly, the students recognised what a special opportunity they had been given. Their comments afterwards included a simple but heartfelt: “Thanks, Miss, for taking us. We really appreciate it.”

With only a limited number of tickets available, our only regret was that we couldn’t take more students.