Michael Linton's Bayeux Tapestry: 1066 - A Medieval Mosaic and Puzzles

Michael's labour of love completed

News Article Details

• Publication: Timaru Herald
• Date: 20-01-2005

Description

MISSION COMPLETE: A 25-year project to reproduce the Bayeux tapestry is complete. Michael Linton is pictured with the final panels of the work which was finished with a lot of help from his daughter Rachael.

History has been created — literally — with the unveiling in Geraldine of the reproduction of a medieval mosaic masterpiece.

Father and daughter Michael and Rachael Linton have unveiled the final section of the Bayeux tapestry, completing a project started 25 years ago by Michael.

The collaborative effort is possibly the world's first detailed recreation of the tapestry and its missing panels, Michael said yesterday.

The completed medieval mosaic tapestry is painted on a canvas of more than 1.5 million pieces of steel, is 42 metres long, and weighs 275kg.

The first part of the tapestry was completed by Michael in 1999. He then teamed up with his daughter to recreate the final two missing panels.

Historians believe that panels would have depicted William the Conqueror being crowned King of England. The pair set out to redraw history by creating these missing panels.

Rachael, a 21-year-old Massey University design student, meticulously studied historical and contemporary literature on the aftermath of the Battle of Hastings.

Michael said yesterday that he was thrilled to have finally finished the tapestry.

"It's great to have it done. Without the final part of the tapestry it was like the final pages of the book were missing."