Medieval coins feature in Bayeaux Tapestry display

Coins from an "internationally significant" hoard found in the West will be part of the Bayeaux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum.

The tapestry goes on display in London later, marking the first time it will be visible in England for nearly 1,000 years. The exhibition, which runs until July next year, will also feature coins from the Chew Valley Hoard.

In total the hoard contains 2,584 coins from the period immediately after the Norman Conquest, thought to have been buried for safekeeping during unrest.

A statement from the South West Heritage Trust said it was "delighted" that coins from the "internationally significant" hoard will feature in the exhibition.

Buried in Somerset shortly after the Norman Conquest, the hoard is believed to have been hidden for safekeeping during unrest in the south-west. It was eventually found in January 2019 by a group out metal detecting.

Amal Khreisheh from the South West Heritage Trust said it has been included in the tapestry exhibition to help show what happened after the Battle of Hastings.

"For years after the Battle of Hastings, the English rebelled against their Norman masters," she said.

"And we know there are a whole series of rebellions in the South West against William, the new Norman King.

"For example, the people of Exeter rebelled against William in 1068 and Harold's sons returned from exile in Ireland and mounted a whole series of attacks around the River Avon and down into Somerset.

"And we think it was in that context that the Chew Valley Hoard was buried."

Benjamin Phol, a professor in medieval history at the University of Bristol, said it was not uncommon for money to be buried for safekeeping during medieval times.

"We know that many, particularly monasteries, monastic communities, buried their coinage along with other treasure during the period of the Viking invasions," he said.

"But we also have evidence from the 11th Century [and] from the 12th Century."

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council's lead member for communities, said: "I hope it will encourage more people to see the hoard in London and when it returns to the Museum of Somerset."

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