The Bayeux tapestry: the final chapter

 

Embroiderers in Alderney have just completed three new scenes to complete the story of the Bayeux tapestry. The famous tapestry (in fact it is embroidered) ends in frayed threads and several embroiderers over the years have designed and worked panels to complete the story. The three new Alderney panels show William dining on the battle field, accepting the surrender of the English noblemen, and his coronation at Westminster Abbey. Previous endings to the tapestry have been made by Jan Messent, Annette Banks, and Jack Thomas. Jan Messent also published a beautifully illustrated book (The Bayeux tapestry embroiderers’ story) describing her research into the project and her new panels. There is also a copy of the Bayeux tapestry in Reading Museum embroidered in 1886 by the Leek Embroidery Society of Staffordshire (see my post in January 2012 for more details) but that one ends at the same place as the original.