From the magazine

How great is the Bayeux tapestry really?

The Spectator
 iStock
Cover image for 05-09-2026
EXPLORE THE ISSUE 05 Sep 2026
issue 05 September 2026

Stitch in time

Some facts and figures on the Bayeux tapestry, which is going on display at the British Museum this month:

— It is 230ft long and depicts 58 individual scenes. There are 626 people, 190 horses and 35 dogs.

— There are many theories as to where and by whom it was embroidered, from the Loire Valley to Canterbury, or even Barking, Essex.

— It was not recorded as being in Bayeux until 1476.

— Some 40,000 people signed a petition to try to stop it being transported to London.

— Technically it is not a tapestry at all as it is embroidered.

Poll position

How common are autumn elections? Until the 1970s, autumn elections were more common than spring ones. Since 1918, election day has fallen in every month except January, August or September.

January 0

February 2

March 1

April 1

May 7

June 5

July 2

August 0

September 0

October 6

November 2

December 3

Life after No. 10

Keir Starmer has resigned his Commons seat. How long have previous prime ministers stayed in parliament after leaving office?

Margaret Thatcher 16 months

John Major 4 years

Tony Blair 0 days

Gordon Brown 5 years

David Cameron 2 months

Theresa May 5 years

Boris Johnson 9 months

Liz Truss 2 years

Rishi Sunak 2 years to date

Behind bars

Does a low incarceration rate make for a happy country? Highest and lowest rates (per 100,000 inhabitants)

Highest

El Salvador 1,659

Cuba 794

Rwanda 620

Lowest

Yemen 14

Somalia 16

Japan, Nigeria 33

Comments