A new display exploring the history around the Norman invasion has opened at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Exeter.
The display is part of Bayeux Around Britain: a British Museum partnership, supported by WorldQuant.
From 15 September to 11 July 2027, Exeter City Council's Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) will be displaying objects from the collection connected to the Bayeux Tapestry and Norman Exeter.
This display and associated programming, alongside digital assets from The British Museum, will be part of the nationwide ‘Bayeux Around Britain’ programme, facilitated by The British Museum and supported by WorldQuant.
Bayeux Around Britain | British Museum
Highlighting the significance of the Bayeux Tapestry coming back to the UK, RAMM is one of more than 60 partner organisations across the country to tell the story of the tapestry and the history surrounding the Norman invasion.
The Bayeux Tapestry is a 70-metre-long masterpiece telling the story of the conquest of England in 1066 by William, Duke of Normandy. The embroidery, in wool thread on linen cloth, was created in the UK and dates back to the 11th century.
Through 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses, the Tapestry gives an account of the medieval period in Normandy and England like no other. It provides information about civil and military architecture, armour and seafaring in the Viking tradition, as well as precious details of everyday life.
Exeter has strong historical ties with France, and archaeological finds from the city tell parallel stories of the Norman invasion to those in the tapestry.
The Bayeux Around Britain display in RAMM will show a selection of those finds. The main characters from the tapestry, Edward the Confessor, Harold II and William I, are depicted on coins minted in Exeter from the period. The pottery excavated from Exeter shows both Saxon and Norman types, and examples of pots made by a French potter who lived in Exeter before the Norman Conquest. The display also includes fragments of the new architecture that the Normans brought with them.
RAMM’s display and trail through the galleries has been curated by participants from our Skills Development programme. This particular programme been designed to offer paid, meaningful work experience for full-time university students while enabling them to lead outreach and inspire other young people across the city. The initiative supports RAMM’s mission to widen access, diversify who sees the museum as a welcoming space, and strengthen progression pathways for youth skills development. Over the last few months, four ‘Museum Reps’, Conan Esson, Harry Gibbs, Alex Lake and Octavia Madden, have worked with curator Thomas Cadbury to choose objects and write interpretation for the display and the trail.
As part of the programming surrounding the display there will be a nationwide celebration of crafting inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, in partnership with Craft Council, taking place in spring/summer 2027.
There will be an event - Conquered: Norman Exeter and Devon - organised by the Friends of RAMM with speakers John Allan, Cathedral Archaeologist with Ollie Creighton, Professor of Archaeology, Sarah Hamilton, Professor of Medieval History and Levi Roach, Professor of Medieval History, all from the University of Exeter.
RAMM is also excited to announce that it will be hosting an in-person talk on Thursday 15 April by Michael Lewis, Lead Curator of the British Museum’s Bayeux Tapestry exhibition.
The Bayeux Tapestry is on display at The British Museum until 11 July 2027 - The Bayeux Tapestry | British Museum
Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE, Director of the British Museum, said:”Since this loan was announced last year, we have been committed to making this a significant cultural moment for the whole of the UK. The Bayeux Around Britain programme will help ensure that this once-in-a-generation exhibition is not confined to Bloomsbury but accessible to tens of millions of people around the country.”
Cllr Lucy Findlay MBE, Exeter City Council lead for City and Culture, said:
“We're delighted that RAMM is part of the Bayeux Around Britain programme. Exeter has a unique connection to the story told by the Bayeux Tapestry, and this display offers a wonderful opportunity to explore that history through objects from RAMM's collection. It's especially encouraging to see young people helping to curate the exhibition and interpret our heritage for new audiences.”
NHS App workshops aim to educate Exmouth residents on using the App to better manage their health
New East Devon petitions website launches
Run along the Exe celebrates the life of the returning salmon
Traffic bulletin from Wales & West Utilities - Exe Bridge, Exeter
South West Water repairs more than 26,700 leaks as teams step up efforts to tackle water loss across the region
Help tackle flu, covid and vomiting bugs through research
Residents Invited to Help Shape the Future of Dawlish Leisure Centre
Applications open for second round of grants for voluntary community projects and buildings
Open Eco Homes Devon to showcase warmer, greener homes
Work on major Devon road ‘not been quick enough’
Concerns aired as unpaid carers service set to move into council
Appeal following extensive damage to primary school in Kenton
Free expert support launched for Devon businesses and entrepreneurs
Honiton gas upgrade work makes good progress
Help shape City Council’s customer standards
Next stage of Newtown Community Project to get underway
