Arbroath tapestry collaboration
The Declaration of Arbroath Tapestry Triptych is an incredible, collaborative craft object made to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the most important letter in Scottish history. The tapestry design is by Andrew Crummy, stitched embroidery by the Red Lichties Stitching Group and Angus designed the frame. The tapestry is now in the permanent collection of Historic Environment Scotland and on display in the Visitors Centre of Arbroath Abbey.
There is a post about the project on the Craft Scotland website.
The Declaration of Arbroath was a letter dated 6th April 1320, sent from Arbroath to the Pope on behalf of the people of Scotland stating that Robert the Bruce was their chosen King despite his being ex-communicated by the Pope and not being the hereditary heir. This radical act has been seen by many as the beginnings of democracy and is thought to have influenced constitutions across the world including the Constitution of the United States. It was written during the Wars of Independence between Scotland and England and during a succession crisis as to who should be King of Scotland.
The tapestry began in 2016 when Arbroath stitcher, Linda Walker gathered a group of experienced, talented stitchers and friends to work on a new tapestry to bring the Declaration of Arbroath to life. Their first step was to approach Andrew Crummy (artist for Great Tapestry of Scotland) to draw a line drawing for a panel. After a year of research by Andrew, Linda with local historian Norman Atkinson a design was agreed.
The central panel depicts Pope John II holding the Declaration, above Bernard Abbot of Arbroath and King Robert the Bruce, above the nobles who signed the declaration with their wax seals, above the knights (2 transported the declaration), who are above ordinary people: thereby depicting the structure of medieval life in Scotland in 1320.
As initially there was no permanent home for the tapestry Linda and Andrew approached Angus to design a frame that would allow the tapestry to tour. He proposed a triptych evoking the boat that sailed from Arbroath taking the Declaration to the Pope in France. This design was agreed in May 2018 and two more panels were designed by Andrew depicting the wider story of Arbroath which was an incredibly wealthy and important town in 14th C with a large international Abbey and busy fishing and trading port.
The initial design for the frame had a sweeping steam-bent prow and the design was revised when it was decided that the tapestry would be on permanent display in the Abbey. Historic Environment Scotland then commissioned Angus to design and make the frame.
The stitchers set themselves the enormous challenge of creating a tapestry that would be equal to the height of embroidery in medieval times.The stitchers were Linda Walker, Patricia Beaton, Anne Marie Bray, Rena Freeburn, Janette Nairn, Alice Sim, Jessy Smart, Mary Stephen and Margaret Wynne. They were supported by Christine Riley (Royal School of Needlework).
Andrew Crummy encouraged the stitchers to be creative and express their own ideas the stitchers made collective decisions on the appropriate stitch and materials for every section of the tapestry. An example was their decision to write the key passage from the declaration in shorthand shown above.
An important historic tree provided some incredible 700 year old burr oak which was carved into a prow-like shape for the base of the triptych and made into finials and lock spacers. The timber came from The Bruce Oak, a well-documented tree that grew by Strathleven House near Glasgow and at one point was thought to be the oldest oak tree in Scotland: probably 600-800 years old. A fire led to its collapse in 2004 and some salvaged burr was generously donated to be used in the cabinet. The tree grew on the site of a manor house built by Robert the Bruce and as he was known for tree planting it is possible that he knew this tree.
The life-span of a tree allows us to consider centuries of time and can connect us directly to medieval times.
The exterior is made in Scottish sycamore and this modest, plain, pale wood, suggestive of sailcloth, provides a total contrast to the jewel like interior. The cabinet door knobs are turned apple wood to remember Oslin Apples - an ancient variety introduced to the abbey garden by French monks in medieval times but still specific to Arbroath today. Oslin apples and the wax seals are depicted a repeated elements around the edges of the tapestry.
The tapestry triptych can be viewed in Arbroath Abbey - find a link to book a ticket here.
Angus Ross was awarded Blue Patch Heritage Award 2021 for this project and Red House Benches.