The Bayeux Tapestry. Those that have followed this site for a few years know that I have a love of this great Romanesque work of art. They will also recognise my admiration for the nineteenth century English copy in Reading Museum. 

Having some spare time in Reading recently I revisited the tapestry and was pleasantly surprised to see this latest addition. 

Jan Messent’s The Bayeux Tapestry Finale II from 2019 is on exhibition in the stairwell outside the Tapestry’s Gallery. According to the Museum notes ‘After extensive research she made a full-size final panel of the tapestry’, of which this itself is a smaller version. 

The original tapestry lost its final six feet some time in its history (from 236 feet). We see the narrative closing with the Saxon soldiers on horseback fleeing the battle. In Messent’s version we see the victorious Norman’s approaching the people of London, and William, crowned King of England, at  Westminster. Compare this with the scene earlier of Harold receiving the crown. The final scene shows crowds cheering, with the inscription Omnes Gaudent -“Everyone is Happy”.

I will get tired of the Bayeux Tapestry one day but not just yet – Everyone is Happy!