This display of objects from RAMM’s collection, alongside digital assets from the British Museum and a trail through the galleries, is part of the nationwide Bayeux Around Britain programme.

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. Find out more in The Bayeux Tapestry online experience.

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, perhaps most interestingly, 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.

The display has been curated by participants from our Skills Development programme; Conan Esson, Harry Gibbs, Alex Lake and Octavia Madden. 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.

Our ‘Viewpoint’ area of six windows at the rear of our museum store is a multi-height window display. Please note that one window is very close to the ground so it is accessible for small children but may not be accessible for those with limited mobility. Images of the objects and large print captions are available nearby. Information about accessibility is available on our Access page.