Is There a Royal Sex Scandal Hidden in the Bayeux Tapestry? With David Musgrove

This September the Bayeux Tapestry went on display at the British Museum to huge crowds of eager patrons. This is the first time it has been displayed in England since it was made almost 1,000 years ago, and the exhibition is expected to draw over 7.5 million people until it journeys back to Bayeux in July 2027. The tapestry tells a story that is baked into the national psyche: Harold breaks an oath, William crosses the Channel, and 1066 changes England forever. But despite its longevity, this famous version of the Norman Conquest is beset with ambiguity, surprising details, and glaring omissions. In this episode, Mia Sorenti speaks with historian David Musgrove about the mysteries hidden in nearly 70 metres of embroidery. Why does the tapestry reduce a complicated succession crisis to a struggle between Harold and William? Who was left out of its story – and was it propaganda, or something more subtle? Musgrove also sheds light on the hidden meanings in the tapestry, including a mysterious scene that may hint at a 11th-century royal sex scandal. David Musgrove is a historian, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and Content Director at HistoryExtra. With Michael Lewis, he is the author of The Story of the Bayeux Tapestry: Unravelling the Norman Conquest. Mia Sorenti is Senior Producer at Intelligence Squared. --- This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices