Michael Linton's Bayeux Tapestry: 1066 - A Medieval Mosaic and Puzzles
News
20-year tapestry project at an end
News Article Details
- Publication: Timaru Herald
- Date: 26-09-2001
Description
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It has taken the best part of 20 years but Geraldine's Michael Linton has finished his reproduction of the Bayeux tapestry — albeit an unusual version made of spring steel pieces.
The reproduction is 33.8m long, is made up of 1.5 million pieces of steel, weighs 227kg and features 602 characters. It also features about 30 puzzles which are encoded into Mr Linton's work.
The Bayeux tapestry has preserved the glory of the Norman Conquest of England, and the drama of Harold of Wessex and Duke William of Normandy for over 900 years. The 70.4m long tapestry is a Norman document.
The tapestry was first mentioned in a 1476 inventory of the Bayeux Cathedral. In 1792 French revolutionaries used it as a wagon cover until it was rescued by a local lawyer. Scholars believe two missing panels at the end may have portrayed William on the throne of England.
Mr Linton was already reproducing art works out of spring steel or more correctly the small pieces of steel which break off knitting design discs, when he came across the Bayeux tapestry. He started it and made about five feet of the design at which point he found there was no turning back.
About three years ago he said he was beginning to feel he would never finish it — but he has now at least finished the reproduction which can be seen at the back of the shop owned and operated by him and his wife in Geraldine — home of the Guinness Book of World Records biggest jersey, The Giant Jersey.
While Mr Linton is neither a trained mathematician, historian or artist he does profess to having a wide range of hobbies including designing unique puzzles. By trade he is a knitter and designer.
Finishing the reproduction of the tapestry has heralded the beginning of a new project. Mr Linton has developed his own web page www.1066.co.nz, which features the reproduction. He has undertaken the arduous process of researching the history of the tapestry and everyone and everything that features in it right down to the breeds of dogs which feature and the use of stirrups by the horsemen.
As for the missing panels of the tapestry — there is still room for a few more panels on the wall at the The Giant Jersey and a little poetic license may see the tapestry completed.