Weekender: Tourist attraction gears up for arrival of Bayeux Tapestry

Following the announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron that the Bayeux Tapestry is set to be displayed in the UK for the first time in 950 years, one West Midlands tourist attractio is already gearing up for renewed interest in the Norman Conquest.

Warwick Castle said it intended to honour the tapestry’s main character, William the Conqueror, with a new heritage exhibition.

The exhibition, which will be launched this Easter, is a celebration of the 950th anniversary of the Norman-built motte and bailey castle on the site of today’s Castle.

Centred around the Mound – which offers panoramic views of the nearby area but in the 11th century was identified as the perfect place for the new King’s forces to keep a keen eye on Warwickshire and its newly conquered people – the new Conqueror’s Fortress exhibition will commemorate William the Conqueror’s impact on the area.

Warwick Castle’s History Team will launch the exhibition this Easter, with visitors learning about the original fortifications, their evolution, and how they came about during the Norman Conquest battle depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry.

Melissa Paniccia, History Team Lead at Warwick Castle, said: “France’s loan of this iconic artwork generates an enormous sense of excitement as it shares significant historical events through beautiful artwork, believed to have been hand-sewn by Anglo-Saxon noble women in Kent under the command of William’s half-brother, Odo, the bishop of Bayeux.

“The new exhibition at Warwick Castle celebrates William the Conqueror and his orders 950 years ago to build a castle on site, telling the story through a tapestry-style plaque and historic exhibition.

“The recent announcement of the impending delivery of the Bayeux Tapestry and its scenes of battle around the time of the Norman invasion is the perfect way to kickstart our anniversary celebrations of the foundations of Warwick Castle.”