A significant discovery has been made in the state archives of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. An missing fragment of the Bayeux Tapestry, which was stolen by Nazi researchers during World War II, has been found more than 80 years later. The fragment was part of the collection of Karl Schlabow, a renowned textile archaeologist who worked with an SS-organized group of academics and scientists to study Germanic heritage.
The Bayeux Tapestry is a historic embroidered cloth from the 11th century that tells the story of William the Conqueror becoming king of England in 1066. It is an iconic piece of French cultural heritage and a UNESCO Memory of the World object. The tapestry depicts events such as Edward the Confessor sending Harold Godwinson to Normandy to offer the throne to William, the Battle of Hastings, and William’s coronation as William I of England.
Interestingly, the tapestry is missing a section that shows William’s coronation, with experts estimating that between eight and ten feet of fabric is missing. The remaining 230 feet of the tapestry has resided in Bayeux, France for centuries, only leaving town twice – once during Napoleon Bonaparte’s reign and during World War II when it was moved to protect it from Allied invasion.
The recently discovered Schlabow fragment, although not part of the missing coronation scene, is a valuable piece of France’s history. German authorities are working to repatriate the stolen section back to France this year. The Bayeux Tapestry is set to undergo restoration work starting on August 31, 2025, and the museum housing it will be revamped and reopened in late 2027.
Mayor Patrick Gomont of Bayeux has stated that this renovation and preservation project is the most complex and ambitious ever undertaken by the town, with a price tag of around $40 million. With the stolen fragment returned, the tapestry will be one step closer to completion, just in time for the 1,000th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth in 1028.
The rediscovery of this missing fragment adds a new chapter to the story of the Bayeux Tapestry, showcasing the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate this important piece of history.
