This tapestry is inspired from an original by Wm Morris (1836-1896), the famous British artist and designer. The theme is the Quest for the Sangreal by the twenty-four Knights of the Round Table of King Arthur. Many tales have surrounded this ancient English King, but the real Arthur seems to have lived in the 5th or 6th century, and to have gained fame as a leader of his people after the Romans; who, having ruled Britain for three centuries, had abandoned it to the rising power of the barbarians. He is supposed to have maintained his court at Camelot in Cornwall. He carried on war successfully against the heathen Saxon invaders, but was finally defeated. The conquered Britons who fled to the mountains of Wales and to Brittany in France, began to tell stories of Arthurs valour and goodness, and around his name there began to be a cluster of tales in which many other knights appeared. These knights were said to be members of King Arthurs Order of the Round Table, and around this table all the knights sat as equals. The tapestry represents the Quest for the Unicorn, the Knights of the Round Table having been bidden to seek this mythical beast of the Middle Ages, who is depicted strolling in a forest, while the lion represents the brave, bold and courageous Knights, who have departed on this mission, having hung their shields in the woods. These are the arms of certain Knights of the Round Table bidden to seek the sangreal who departed on the quest whatever might befal But of those knights that thus departed these are the chiefest Sir Gawaine of Orkney Sir Lancelot, Sir Hector de Marys, Sir Bors, Sir Percival and Sir Galahad William Morris was born in London on 24th March 1836. He was educated at Marlborough, and then at Exeter College, Oxford, where he met his life-long friend Edward Burne-Jones. Both Morris and Burne-Jones developed a passion for the beauty of the Middle Ages. Later, Morris and his colleagues founded the firm of Morris & Company at Merton Abbey in Surrey, making beautifully-designed tapestries, curtains, rugs and wallpapers. The original tapestry was commissioned for Stanmore Hall and was woven around 1890 in wool and silk on a cotton warp. Composition: 52% polyester cotton, 42% viscose, 3% polyester, 3% polyamide Finish on reverse: This tapestry is fully backed with luxury cotton lining incorporating a sleeve along the top for hanging purposes.