A medieval masterpiece has brought 1066 back to life in Britain.

The Bayeux Tapestry is on display at the British Museum in London, on loan from France, NPR reported. It is the first time the tapestry has been in England in more than 950 years, The Epoch Times reported.

The demand has been huge. When the museum released its first batch of tickets, they sold out within 24 hours. The museum expected people to spend about 40 minutes viewing it. Instead, the average visit lasts about 90 minutes.

The tapestry is about 230 feet long, NBC News reported. It tells the story of William the Conqueror's invasion of England in 1066 in scenes that are "dramatic, bloody and occasionally lewd." It begins with Harold Godwinson's voyage to France and ends with the Battle of Hastings, where Harold was killed and William took the English crown.

The project's curator told NBC News the conquest was a "really seismic moment in British history." It changed England's language, laws and ruling class.

This weekend, a reenactment of the Battle of Hastings is drawing big crowds of history fans, NPR reported. "The Battle of Hastings is as famous for the Brits as the American Revolution is for us," NPR host Joel Rose said.

The real battle took place on Oct. 14, 1066, near the town now called Battle, in southeast England.

Despite its name, the tapestry is actually an embroidery, stitched in wool on linen. It is believed to have been made in the 1070s.

The tapestry will return to France after the exhibit.

What we know: The Bayeux Tapestry is drawing big crowds at the British Museum, its first showing in Britain in more than 950 years.
What we don't: How long the crowds will last over the rest of the run.