The Arts Society Welwyn Garden Lecture on 16th September 2026

Rupert Willoughby gave an excellent lecture on the Bayeux Tapestry that fascinated our attendees. He talked about such things as how it survived to the present day when artifacts like Mathilda's wedding dress was thrown on a bonfire; the colours used and how they were made; how to tell the opposing sides apart; the run up to the battle of 1066 as shown on the Tapestry.  

At King Edward's request, Harold visited William in Normandy and had made a promise on two relicts in Normandy that so bound him to William that William should become King of England on Edward's death. Harold quickly proclaimed himself King instead, so William came to claim the throne.

As you'll probably only get 40 minutes in the British Museum to look at the original if you can see over the tops of the heads of people in front of you - go for the experience but then study the copy in Reading Museum!