1066 - Battle of Hastings Mosaic

Rotary Club of Senlac

The 1066 Medieval Mosaic

A Talk by Michael Linton

Some ten years ago Rotarian Peter Cocker was leading a walking tour of New Zealand when, on a wet day, he discovered a 1066 Medieval Mosaic on display on South Island. He was so impressed and spoke to the artist, Michael Linton, who, with his daughter Rachael, has spent 23 years setting up the mosaic. Peter spoke to Hastings Borough Council and, to shorten a long story, instigated the display of the mosaic in Hastings for the 950^thanniversary of the Battle of Hastings. Michael and his wife, Gillian, have been displaying the mosaic in the crypt of St Mary in the Castle since mid-August. The display closes on 28^th October and will move to Battle.

Michael told us about how at the age of 11, from a “cartoon” in the Geographical Magazine which had published an article about the Bayeux Tapestry, he was inspired to eventually replicate the Bayeux Tapestry out of 3 million pieces of spring steel. Michal was not content with just replicating the Bayeux Tapestry, he and his daughter added 27 feet to the end and 72 feet in the middle to cover the Battle of Stamford Bridge and Fulford Bridge. Overall, the mosaic is 64metres long and weighs 450 kilograms. Michael has also included in the mosaic a series of mathematical puzzles.

Not just content with the mosaic Michael, with the help of his son, has designed an interactive version whereby any click will reveal information about the person, weapon, ship and so on. He has also uploaded many historical reference books and encyclopaedias that he has used in his research, all of which can be read page by page and, in some cases, translated into modern day English! These additional bits are included on a purchasable USB.

A fascinating and interesting talk by a man who, really, is a very dedicated genius!

Peter Cocker proposed the vote of thanks.

For more information on the making of the mosaic and other references, please see www.1066.co.nz

Q: when did a Kiwi use Kiwi?

A: when a New Zealander, Michael, coloured the background to the mosaic he used over 100 tins of Kiwi black shoe polish