The British Museum's historic loan of the Bayeux Tapestry next year will be backed by an unprecedented £800 million insurance policy from the UK Treasury, it has been confirmed.
Unprecedented Cover for a Priceless Artefact
Under the long-standing Government Indemnity Scheme, the Treasury will provide cover for the estimated valuation of the tapestry while it travels from France and is displayed in London. This scheme acts as a vital alternative to costly commercial insurance for national museums and galleries.
The 70-metre-long embroidery, which is over 900 years old and depicts the Norman invasion of 1066 and the Battle of Hastings, will be loaned while its home museum in Bayeux, Normandy, undergoes renovation. The Bayeux Tapestry Museum is scheduled to reopen in October 2027.
A Mutually Beneficial Cultural Exchange
This landmark loan forms part of a significant cultural exchange agreement between the UK and France. In return for hosting the tapestry, the British Museum will loan items from its own world-renowned collections to French institutions. These are expected to include the Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon treasures and the famed Lewis Chessmen.
A spokesperson for HM Treasury stated: “The Government Indemnity Scheme is a long-standing scheme that allows museums and galleries to borrow high value works for major exhibitions, increasing visitor numbers and providing public benefits.” They emphasised that without this state-backed cover, public institutions would face substantial commercial premiums, making such exhibitions far less cost-effective.
Controversy and Conservation Concerns
Despite the excitement surrounding the loan, the plan has not been without its critics. In France, some voices from the art and conservation sectors have raised serious concerns. They have called on President Emmanuel Macron to reconsider the project, fearing that the transportation of the fragile, ancient textile could cause irreparable damage.
The Treasury's provisional approval of the £800 million valuation was first reported by the Financial Times. The scheme is estimated to have saved UK museums and galleries a remarkable £81 million compared to the cost of commercial insurance, underlining its importance to the UK's cultural landscape.
The tapestry itself is a unique historical record, illustrating the events that led to William the Conqueror taking the English throne from Harold Godwinson and establishing Norman rule. Its upcoming display in the UK represents a rare opportunity for the public to engage with a defining artefact of British and European history.
