New World Tapestry - Misplaced Pages

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The New World Tapestry is the largest stitched embroidery in the world, at 267 feet x 4 feet. It is larger than the Bayeux Tapestry in France.

The tapestry is located at the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, near Temple Meads railway station, in central Bristol, England.

The tapestry depicts English colonisation attempts in America, Bermuda, Guiana (Venezuela) and Newfoundland between the years 1583 and 1642, when the Civil War broke out.

The creators

The designer was Tom Mor, who also designed The Plymouth Tapestry at Prysten House , Plymouth, the Adventurers for Virginia (London) Tapestry, and was the consultant on the Jersey Liberation Tapestry (St Helier, Channel Islands) and the Plympton Tapestry (Plympton, Devon). The panel was researched by Tom Mor, Tom Maddock, Paul Presswell and Freda Simpson. Chief tapissiers were Joan Roncarelli and Renée Harvey.

The making of the tapestry

Research and preparation of the New World Tapestry’s 24 panels, each measuring 11ft x 4 ft, began in 1980. Tom Mor was soon joined by Tom Maddock, a retired friend from Ivybridge. Over the months they travelled hundreds of miles together searching out the 264 people who would eventually be named on the tapestry. The next volunteer was heraldic expert Paul Presswell of Buckfastleigh, who intensified the hunt to identify all the Coats of Arms of the people, colleges and companies involved. The result has been the creation alongside the tapestry of a library of files on each person and a collection of reference books of great use to researchers and scholars.

Two hundred and sixty four armorial shields run along the top and bottom tapestry borders throughout its length, alternating with illustrations of the same number of flowers of herbs, medicinal plants, trees and shrubs. The latter are shown because the colonists took ointments and cure-alls with them on their voyages and plant hunters returned with such things as the potato and tobacco.

All the flowers and florets depicted were drawn from nature by Mor, who studied them under a watchmaker’s glass. He was helped from the very early days by yet another friend, Freda Simpson of Plymouth. Freda was passionately interested in herbs and old herbal remedies. It was she who identified, picked and gave him over 230 actual flower specimens in the years that he, his wife and family lived in Plymouth. Later they moved to Cambridge were he was able to complete the set of 264 drawings with the help of Clive King and Caroline Lawes of the Cambridge University Botanic Garden; Lady Jane Renfrew of Lucy Cavendish College and Alison Davies, Monica Stokes and Edna Norman.

The stitchers

Tom could not have done all the Tapestry research, and, of course, seen his canvasses brought to vibrant, colourful life, without the help of his friends and the expertise of the dedicated tapissiers. When the very first stitch was made in the New World Tapestry in 1980, the team working in Prysten House numbered 20. By the time the last stitch was made in March 2000, the number of Tapissiers had increased to 256 with the addition of another eight centres. In Devon there was a second in Plymouth at HMS Drake (the Royal Navy’s panel), Ivybridge, Chillington, Exeter, Bideford, Totnes and Tiverton Castle. Dorset’s Tapestry centre was in the Guildhall at Lyme Regis and it was there that the Great Gardeners and Herbalists panel was stitched.

The first Oblique Gobelin stitch was made on 26 September 1980 in Prysten House in Plymouth, by US Ambassador the Hon. Kingman Brewster. The Coat of Arms of His Excellency's ancestor, Pilgrim leader William Brewster, appears on the 1620 Mayflower Panel.

The last Oblique Gobelin stitch was made by HRH Prince Charles on 3 March 2000 in the Orchard Room of his home at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. Most fittingly, with his interest in history and a great gardener himself, His Royal Highness put his golden wool stitch in the date of the 1642 Great Gardeners and Herbalists’ Panel.

Stitching (38,928,384 stitches) was by 256 volunteer tapissiers working in 9 centres in Devon and Dorset (at Pryston House (Plymouth), HMS Drake (Plymouth), Ivybridge, Chillington, Totnes, Exeter, Bideford, Tiverton Castle and Lyme Regis (Dorset)).

The library

The associated library material has files on the 264 people named on the tapestry. Also histories of the years 1583-1642, much of it original research, plus heraldic information on 300 individuals, companies, towns, counties and universities.

Famous stitchers

HM the Queen, HM the Queen Mother, HRH Prince Philip, HRH Prince Charles, HRH the Princess Royal and HRH the Duchess of Gloucester have added stitches on separate occasions.

The first stitch was added in 1980 by the American Ambassador the Hon. Kingman Brewster. The last stitch was added in 2000 by HRH Prince Charles.

People named in the 24 panels

1583 Newfoundland Panel Humphrey Gilbert, William Winter, Robert Davis, Edward Hayes, Richard Clarke, William Cox, Captain Cade, Thomas Edmondes, Thomas Aldworth, Gilbert Staplehill, Thomas Edmondes

1584 Roanoke Panel Walter Raleigh, Philip Amadas, William Grenville, John Wood, Richard Hakluyt, Henry Greene William Sanderson, Josias Calmady, John Dee, Thomas Hariot, John Sparke

1585 Roanoke Panel Richard Grenville, Edward Kelly, John White, Thomas Wise, Robert Masters, John Stukley Christopher Broking, John Arundel, Edward Gorges, Thomas Cavendish, Walter Raleigh

1586 Roanoke Panel Francis Walsingham, Ralph Lane, John Harris, Francis Drake, Philip Sidney, Richard Grenville Thomas Ford, Thomas Luddington, George Raymond, Marmaduke Constable, David Williams

1587 Roanoke Panel John White, George Howe, Edward Spicer, Roger Pratt, Edward Stafford, Roger Bayle John Humphrey, George Maynard, Ananias Dare, Eleanor Dare, Virginia Dare

1588-90 Armada Panel Richard Grenville, William Winter, John Hawkins, Francis Drake, Anthony Cage, George More, Martin Frobisher, Robert Hughes, Lord Howard of Effingham, Christopher Cooper, Thomas Stevens

1595-6 Guiana Panel Walter Raleigh, Lawrence Kemys, Anthony Ashley, John Donne, Thomas Howard, John Hartington Robert Devereux, Francis Vere, Charles Howard, George Carew, Thomas Bodley

1602-3 Cape Cod Panel Bartholomew Gosnold, Gabriel Archer, William Strete, John Brereton, John Popham, John Hele William Parker, Bartholomew Gilbert, Thomas Walker, Edward Hayes, Walter Raleigh

1605 Maine Panel George Waymouth, Henry Wriothesley, Walter Mathew, Wiliam Rosecarrock, Ferdinando Gorges, John Popham, Robert Martin, Thomas Arundell, Richard Aldworth, Thomas Smythe, James Rosier

1606 Plymouth & London Co’s Panel John Popham, William Parker, George Popham, Raleigh Gilbert, Thomas Hanham, John Maddock, John Dodderidge, William Waad, James Bagg, Henry Challons, Martin Pring

1607 Jamestown Panel Christopher Newport, Bartholomew Gosnold, Henry Montagu, Robert Cecil, John Smith, Chief Powhatan, George Percey, John Ratcliffe, Walter Cope, Edward Maria Wingfield, Robert Killigrew

1607-8 Sagadahoc Panel Francis Popham, William Parker, Matthew Sutcliffe, Richard Champernoune, Thomas Horner, Edward Rodgers, John Mallet, Raleigh Gilbert, George Popham, Roger Warre, Abraham Jennings

1609-10 Bermuda Panel Thomas Campbell, William Godolphin, William Shakespeare, William Strachey, Thomas Gates, William Craven, George Somers, Matthew Somers, Henry Wriothesley, Richard Frobisher, Robert Aldworth

1613-14 Jamestown Panel Samuel Argall, John Rolfe, Thomas Dale, Thomas Smythe, John Borlase, Prince Charles, John Scobie, Richard Buck, Thomas Hayes, Thomas Savage, John Smith

1616 Pocahontas Panel Michael Drayton, John Rolfe, John Smith, Thomas West, William Shakespeare, John Leman, Edward Lawrence, Thomas Dale, John King, George Yeardley, Ben Jonson

1617-18 Guiana Panel Roger North, Robert Trelawney, Henry Rolfe, Lewis Stukley, Henry Montagu, Robert Tounson Samuel Argall, Nicholas Frankwell, Walter Raleigh, John Bingley, Edward Coke

1619 Virginia Slaves & Bartered Brides Panel George Yeardley, William Paget, Henry and Thomas Lyle, William Cavendish, William Herbert, John Mason, Edward Seymour, William Cockayne, Robert Spencer, William Tucker, Edwin Sandys

1620 Mayflower Panel John Robinson, Edward Winslow, William Brewster, Henry Wallis, Ferdinando Gorges, William Bradford, Gerryt Lanaertz, Edward Richards, John Plumleigh, Thomas Fownes, John Carver

1621-3 New Hampshire Panel David Thompson, Leonard Pomeroy, John Mason, Thomas Hobson, Robert Rich, Abraham Colmer, Edward Hilton, Robert Gorges, Alexander Shapleigh, Myles Standish, Thomas Weston

1624-30 John White’s Dorchester Co Panel John White, John Warham, John Wolstenholm, Roger Conant, Thomas Morton, Edward Rossiter, Thomas Holcombe, Roger Clapp, Jonathan Gillett, John Endicott, James Gould

1630 Massachusetts Bay Co Panel Adam Winthrop, William Laud, Richard Saltonstall, Hugh Peter, Matthew Craddock, Isaac Johnson, John Winthrop, Emmanuel Downing, William Coddington, William Pynchon, John Underhill

1634 Maryland Panel George Calvert, Cecilus and Leonard Calvert, Richard Blount, Thomas Dorrell, Thomas Cornwallis Richard Gerard, Jerome Hawley, Henrietta Maria, Edward Winter, Jerome Weston, Nicholas Ferfax

1635-41 New England Panel Nicholas Frost, Anne Hutchinson, John Eliot, Nathaniel Eaton, Henry Dunster, Thomas Gorges, Roger Williams, Drapers Company, John Harvard, Elizabeth Pole

1642 Gardeners and Herbalists Panel William Turner, Edward Seymour, Henry Lyte, Robert Cecil, Thomas Johnson, Nicholas Culpeper, John Gerard, John Tradescant the Elder, John Parkinson, Henry Danvers, John Tradescant the Younger

Flowers on the panels

All these flowers have their herbal attributes listed in the library.

1583 Newfoundland Panel Common Mallow, Soapwort, Dandelion, Thrift, Daisy, Jessamine, Bistort, Purple Iris, Cleavers, Heartsease, Yarrow

1584 Roanoke Panel Foxglove, Plum, Dock, Peach, Corn Marigold, St John’s Wort, Pear, Succory, Hollyhock, Cowslip, Tobacco

1585 Roanoke Panel Honeysuckle, Dovesfoot, Saxifrage, Bramble, Melilot, Peppermint, Ox-eye Daisy, Wild Pink, Mullein, Potato, Hop

1586 Roanoke Panel Scabious, Parsley, Broad Leaved Dock, Good King Henry, Betony, Weld, Alkanet, Crosswort Columbine, Hazel, Nonesuch

1587 Roanoke Panel Bird’s-foot-trefoil, Burdock, House Leek, Chervil, Forget-me-Not, Bugle, Tutsan, Bladder Campion, Pimpernel, Strawberry, Thyme

1588 Armada Panel Basil, Briar Rose, Bay, Periwinkle, Feverfew, Tansy, Willow Herb, Elder, Borage Alexanders, Comfrey

1595-6 Guiana Panel Globe Thistle, Stitchwort, Orpine, Water Lily, Black Poplar, Wormwood, Winter Savory, Dill, Bell heather, Flax, Sneezewort

1602-3 Cape Cod Panel Red Valerian, Squill, Toadflax, Plymouth Thistle, Archangel, Vervain, Hedge Mustard Lily of the Valley, Self Heal, Buttercup, Majoram

1605 Maine Panel White Rose, Violet, Groundsel, Rest Harrow, Knapweed, Lady’s Bedstraw, Bluebell Fennel, Clowns Ringwort, Lady’s Mantle, Tare

1606 Plymouth & London Co’s Panel Cotton Lavender, Lemon Balm, Bittersweet, Willow Tree, Celandine, Meadowsweet, Red Campion, Bugloss, Woad, Thistle, Fumitory

1607 Jamestown Panel Lady’s Smock, Furze, Poppy, Privet, Primrose, Pink Rose, Bindweed, Pellitory, Cornflower Rue, Plantain

1607-8 Sagadahoc Panel Ground Ivy, Ragwort, Great Willowherb, Agrimony, Teasel, Rocket, Germander, Oak, Dovesfoot, Ribwort, Sage

1609-10 Bermuda Panel Yellow Iris, Orach, Rose, Hawkweed, Wood Sorrel, Water Mint, Yellow Poppy, Gentian Biting Stonecrop, Solomon’s Seal, Golden Rod

1613-14 Jamestown Panel Spurge, Horehound, Tormentil, Love in a Mist, Sloe, Eyebright, Red Clover, Oxlip, Marshmallow, Garlic, Sow Thistle

1616 Pocahontas Panel Clary, Rhubarb, Great Burnet, Mercury, Scurvy Grass, Sea Holly, Wallflower, Purple Loosestrife Water Ragwort, Figwort, Lime Tree

1617-18 Guiana Panel Tamarisk, Nepeta, Tarragon, Hellebore, Sweet William, Cherry, Prince of Wales’ Feathers Holly Tree, Gooseberry, Mouse Ear, Mulberry

1619 Virginia Slaves & Bartered Brides Panel Chickweed, Wortleberry, Service Tree, Cocks Head, Woodrush, Opium Poppy, Avens, Onion, Yam, Beech, Orchis

1620 Mayflower Panel Speedwell, Chamomile, Mayflower, Valerian, Rosemary, Lavender, Nettle, Herb Robert Wild Arum, Ivy, Spearmint

1621-23 New Hampshire Panel Indian Corn, Crab Apple, Barberry, French Lungwort, White Clover, Barren Strawberry, Lungwort, Runner Bean, Currant, Horse Chestnut, Lilac

1624-30 John White’s Dorchester Co Panel Rocket, Snowdrop, Pasque Flower, Garlic Mustard, Hyssop, Wolfe’s Bane, Cranesbill, Dead Nettle, Elm, Leopard’s Bane, Fritillary

1630 Massachusetts Bay Co Panel Loosestrife, Musk Mallow, Hounds-Tongue, White Bryony, Hairless Catmint, Spindle, Organy, Jacob’s Ladder, American Winter Cress, Brooklime, Campion

1634 Maryland Panel Dyer’s Greenweed, Quince, Scarlet Pimpernel, Nettleleaved Bellflower, Sea Beet, Asparagus Sand Spurrey, Meadow Clary, Marsh Marigold, Monkshood, Sweet Cicely

1635-41 New England Panel Pennyroyal, Scabwort, Astrantia, Vetch, Wayfaring Tree, Dark Mullein, Centaury, Green Alkanet, Saxifrage, Corn Cockle, Sweet Woodruff

1642 Gardeners & Herbalists Panel Simpson, Fleabane, Pot Marigold, Scots Rose, Stag’s Horn Sumach, Larkspur, Navelwort, Wild Candytuft, Spiderwort, Charlock, Aster

The stories of the panels

1583 Sir Humphrey Gilbert’s expedition to Newfoundland

1584 Raleigh’s first expedition lands in Roanoke, North Carolina

1585 Raleigh’s second expedition to Roanoake

1586 Establishing the Colony and building Fort Raleigh at Roanoke

1587 The fourth year on Roanoke Island

1588-1590 The Spanish Armada and the end of the Roanoke Colony

1595-1596 Raleigh’s expedition to Guiana and the sack of Cadiz

1602-1603 Captain Bartholomew Gosnold’s voyage to Cape Cod

1605 Captain George Waymouth’s expedition to Maine

1606 Guy Fawkes executed, King grants colonisation Charters

1607 Jamestown Virginia founded, Pocahontas saves John Smith

1607-1608 Plymouth Adventurers Company expedition to Maine

1609-1610 Bermuda claimed as colony after a shipwreck

1613-1614 Jamestown grows, Pocahontas marries John Rolfe

1616 John Rolfe brings Princess Pocahontas to England

1617-1618 Pocahontas dies. Failure of Raleigh’s Guiana expedition

1619 Virginia’s legislature. Arrival of slaves and wives

1620 The Pilgrim Fathers and the voyage of the Mayflower

1621-1623 Indian raids and the start of New Hampshire

1624-1630 John White’s Dorchester Company’s expedition

1630 Massachusetts Bay Colony. John Winthrop’s expedition 1628-1634 The Calvert family founds Maryland

1635-1641 New England. Harvard College and Taunton founded

1642 Great Gardeners and Herbalists. Civil War begins

"Adventurers for Virginia" Tapestry supporters

Adventurers for Virginia are people who are patrons of the New World Tapestry and Library. Their names are inscribed for posterity in the Adventurers for Virginia Record Book. They can also:

- Celebrate in London, the Adventurers for Virginia Day every 10th April to commemorate the granting of Charters by King James to the London Virginia Company and the Plymouth Adventurers' Company in 1606 to establish colonies in Virginia

- Help fund the production of the book for schools and researchers, "The Jamestown, Sagadahoc and Bermuda Story".

- Help fund the production of the Yeardley/Flowerdew Brasses for presentation in England and America.

- Help make grants to the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum at Temple Meads in Bristol, helping create the permanent exhibition of the New World Tapestry and expand and enhance the NWT Library, help the development of three-way educational research between England, America and Bermuda.

For their contributions Adventurers receive a tie showing the Adventurers’ badge plus a lifetime pass to view the tapestry in Bristol.