Historian James Ford has argued that the Bayeux Tapestry, currently a guest exhibit at the British Museum, is British and should become a permanent part of the museum's collection. Ford contends that the artefact, which he refers to as the 'Canterbury Embroidery', was not made in Bayeux but was instead stitched in Kent, probably around Canterbury.
Ford highlights that the item is an embroidery, not a tapestry, and suggests its current naming convention represents 'victor's history' and 'French colonialism'. He draws a parallel with debates surrounding the return of the Elgin Marbles and Benin Bronzes, suggesting that those who advocate for their return should also support the permanent retention of the 'Canterbury Embroidery' in Britain.
The exhibition of the artefact at the British Museum has seen significant public interest, with tickets for the first four months selling out within 24 hours. Ford proposes that when its current time at the British Museum concludes, it should not be returned to France.