WHAT do you give to someone when they’ve presented you with a unique medieval artifact?

According to the leader of Hampshire County Council, it should be another unique medieval artifact.

The Bayeux Tapestry is set to be displayed in the UK for the first time after France agreed it could leave their shores after 950 years.

As previously reported, councillor Roy Perry has offered to host the historic tapestry in the Great Hall of Winchester Castle, after the French president Emmanuel Macron announced it would be loaned to the UK.

But Cllr Perry has also suggested in a letter written to prime minister Theresa May that in exchange for the priceless item, Hampshire could loan King Arthur’s Round Table to our neighbours across the Channel.

Cllr Perry said: “As a gesture in return and subject to specialist advice we could perhaps offer for loan to France King Arthur’s Round Table.

“Actually our medieval round table was constructed as a replica under the orders of Edward I and painted during the reign of Henry VIII and which is displayed in the Great Hall.”

Speaking about Hampshire’s suitability for displaying the Bayeux Tapestry, he added: “The Great Hall of Winchester Castle is the second largest medieval hall in England and would be a very appropriate venue.

“Winchester was the Anglo-Saxon capital of England at the time of the Norman Conquest.

“Already, ferries cross the Channel daily between Normandy and Hampshire, so it would be easy for French tourists to visit.”

Described by some as history’s first graphic novel, the 230ft-long embroidery depicts events leading up to the Battle of Hastings and the Norman conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066.

The arrival of the Normans saw the capital switched from Winchester to London.

Although referred to as a tapestry, it is an embroidery stitched in nine different panels and it is believed to have been sewn by nuns in Canterbury.

King Arthur’s Round Table bears the names of the knights of his court, and depicts Arthur sitting above a Tudor rose.

The location for the display of the Bayeux Tapestry is due to be decided later this year.