FOR ENGLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 14, 16 July 1931, Page 22

FOR ENGLAND

BAYEUX TAPESTRY

The famous Bayeux Tapestry, one of the greatest art,treasures in the world, is to bo taken to London for the French Exhibition at the Royal Academy early next year. An official of the Royal Academy told a "Daily Mail" reporter: "The French authorities and officials of the Louvre Museum have agreed to lend the tapesty to us for the 1932 French Exhibition. They will be entirely responsible for its packing'and shipment to England, and I understand we shall receive it at the end of the year." Never before has this treasure, which is 230 feet long, left France since it was worked by Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, a half-brother, to William the Conqueror,, more than 800 years ago. ' It was 200 years ago that a piece of unbleached linen was discovered in the nave of the Cathedral Church of Bayeux. Records revealed that in 1090 Odo, who had details of the Battle of Hastings and thelong history of events that preceded the invasion, began to place his knowledge on record in tho form of worsted work. The tapestry depicts 623 persons, 202 horses and mules, 55 dogs, 505 various other animals, 37 buildings, 41 ships and boats, and 49 trees. Eight different colours were used, and each colour was used throughout for the same subject. The historical events recorded on the tapestry begin with the sending of Harold by Edward the Confessor on an embassy to Normandy. . Harold's stay with William the Conqueror is strikingly depicted, as also are the preparations for the invasion of England, followed by the Battle of Hastings and the death of Harold. A copy is in Reading, Berkshire, Museum.