Tapestries inspired by historic William Wallace letters unveiled
The tapestries will form the backdrop to , a free exhibition which will bring the iconic letters together for the first time ever.
Skilled weavers at Edinburgh's Dovecot Studios have spent over two months carefully crafting and hand-weaving the tapestries to a design inspired by the intricate lettering and historic parchment of the 700 year-old documents.
The two tapestries, measuring over 2 x 1 metres, will hang behind each of the exhibits, which include the so-called Lübeck Letter, issued by Wallace and Andrew Murray, inviting the ports of Lübeck and Hamburg to resume trade with Scotland; and a letter of 1300 from the French King Philip IV to his agents at the Papal Court asking them to assist Wallace in his business before the Pope.
The tapestries contain the Latin words for William Wallace, Scotland and Lübeck: 'Guillelmum' (William) and 'Scotia' (Scotland) on one, and 'Wallensis' (Wallace) and 'Lubek' (Lübeck) on the other.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said:
“The Wallace exhibition is of tremendous importance, providing an opportunity for the people of Scotland to see these two historic documents side by side for the first time.
“These bespoke tapestries have been carefully crafted by skilled weavers using traditional techniques which – like the letters – have stood the test of time.
“They will provide a beautiful and fitting backdrop, to add to the fascinating experience that the exhibition will deliver.”
The exhibition will be delivered by National Records of Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Parliament, The National Archives London, and the Hansestadt Lübeck Archive.
The exhibition is free to attend and runs from Friday, 10 August to Saturday, 8 September 2012 (closed on Sundays and on 13-14 August).