I have been commissioned to design a large scale commemorative tapestry to celebrate an historic moment in Britain’s medieval past.

On 12th July 927, King Athelstan, grandson of Alfred the Great, met with the top rulers of Britain, including the kings of Scotland, Strathclyde, and Wales, at Eamont Bridge, near Penrith. Following Athelstan's capture of Viking York, these leaders swore allegiance to him, pledged to keep the peace, and banned alliances with non-Christian pagans. This crucial summit solidified Athelstan's control over the entire island, establishing him as the first King of the English.

The tapestry will, as for the Bayeux, actually be an embroidery in crewelwork thus wool on linen. There will be 10 panels, one a map showing the journeys of the kings to the meeting, two panels for Athelstan and one panel each for the other kings. Finally, a great triptych of panels showing their arrival and meeting.

It’s my intention that each panel will be authentic to the 10th century therefore I will be designing as if I was travelling with the five Kings in 927, using textiles, illuminated manuscripts, metal and stonework of the time to inspire the piece. By physically visiting the starting points of each King’s journey, researching the agriculture, animals and daily lives of the people, I hope to create a set of panels that truly reflects this historic moment in time.

Phillipa Turnbull, historic crewel work specialist, is working with me to in recreate the early 10th century colour and stitches, transferring my designs onto pure linen twill, woven in Lancashire, and co-ordinating and instructing groups of volunteers in the intricate art of early crewel embroidery using all British wools.

Once complete, the tapestry will hang in a small chapel near Brougham Hall, close the original meeting site, for all visitors to enjoy.