Children will have the chance to finish the final missing panel of the Bayeux Tapestry at a Medieval Fair in Wallingford on Saturday.
Experts at the town museum believe that the original tapestry, which shows William the Conqueror’s Norman Conquest, must have ended with a scene at Wallingford as the invader marched to London to be crowned.
Local people are recreating the missing ending, and people going to the fundraising fair on the Kinecroft will be asked to finish it off.
Wallingford Museum’s curator, Judy Dewey, said: “The end of the Bayeux Tapestry is ripped, so it has no proper ending.
“One of our medievalists is convinced that had the final panel still existed, it would have shown William taking his army across the Thames at Wallingford and marching to Berkhamsted to be crowned.
“It is something great for children to be involved in, and is all part of the hands-on day we are running on the Kinecroft.”
The fair, from 10am to 5pm, will raise money for Wallingford Museum’s planned new timber-framed extension, and includes historical attractions, a living history display, and medieval crafts.
People will be able to watch craftsmen or themselves have a go at spinning, scrivening, lacemaking and jewellery making — as well as throw wet sponges at local dignitaries locked in the stocks.
A prize trail will encourage members of the public to link Wallingford’s modern shops with those of the past, and discover more about the town’s medieval history.
The day will raise money for the museum’s new medieval-style extension, which will both expand the museum’s galleries and provide a ‘living history’ exhibit of medieval craftsmanship.
Hundreds of people have already sponsored, for £4 each, wooden pegs to be used in the construction of the museum annexe, and prizes will be given to the best decorated pegs at 3pm on Saturday.
The museum has raised £50,000 towards the £350,000 project to build the timber-framed extension, but construction, originally planned for this month, has had to be delayed to next year, giving time for various grants to be secured.
The Medieval Fair will be free to visit, but people can buy 50p ‘Wallingford Groats’ to take part in the various activities.
Source: Herald Series
