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Bayeux mania peaks as 1,000-year-old tapestry exhibition opens in London
The British Museum has sold 100,000 tickets as the 70-metre tapestry goes on display outside France for the first time.
On Thursday, the British Museum opened its sold-out Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, marking the 1,000-year-old artwork's first display outside France since the 11th century.
Years of diplomacy preceded the unprecedented loan from France, following two aborted attempts in 1953 and 1966; King Charles III called the transfer a "precious symbol of trust."
Exhibition curator Michael Lewis described the visit as a "processional experience" for the 100,000 ticket holders who generated £2.5 million in sales to view the 70-metre-long embroidery.
Bakery chain Greggs unveiled an embroidered "Ta-Pastry" celebrating the arrival, while a pub near the museum renamed itself "The Beer Tapestry," as 'Tapestry-mania' swept Britain.
Despite France noting two broken threads during inspection, the British Museum reported the embroidery is "virtually unchanged," and the masterpiece will remain in London until next July.
The Bayeux Carpet is one of the most important imageries of the Middle Ages. It can now be seen in the British Museum in London. Numerous people gathered in the morning for the opening of the special exhibition. However, according to the British Museum, all tickets are sold out by the end of the year.