Exploring the Bayeux Tapestry

Today, Years 4 and 5 took part in a special live online schools’ event from the British Museum exploring the Bayeux Tapestry.

This was a particularly exciting opportunity, as the Bayeux Tapestry is currently on display at the British Museum in London, giving the children the chance to learn about this extraordinary historical source at a very special time. The tapestry tells the story of the events leading up to the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and provides a fascinating insight into life in 11th-century England.

The event linked particularly well with the children’s History learning. Year 4 are currently studying the Anglo-Saxons and will go on to learn about the Vikings, while Year 5 studied both the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings during Year 4. The Bayeux Tapestry provides a natural bridge from these topics to the Norman period, helping children understand what happened to Anglo-Saxon England in 1066 and how historians use historical sources to learn about the past.

During the live broadcast, the children had the opportunity to explore the tapestry and consider what it can tell us about the people and events of the period. Taking part in a live British Museum event while the Bayeux Tapestry is in London makes this a particularly memorable opportunity to extend the children’s historical knowledge.