Rome, Italy – Descendants of the man who killed King William II are looking to donate a piece of medieval art to a British museum. The artwork, a three-slab triptych believed to have been crafted by a Norman artist in 1100, has been in the possession of the Tirelli family for over four centuries. It wasn’t until recently, when the family enlisted experts to evaluate their collection of heirlooms, that the significance of this artwork became fully apparent.
The Latin-inscribed triptych narrates the story of Walter Tirel, also known as Gaultier Tyrrell, who played a role in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. His son, bearing the same name, fatally wounded William II during a hunting expedition in the New Forest by shooting an arrow into his lung. The artwork also depicts Tirel’s journey from the Orkney islands to Normandy, his conversion to Christianity, and his subsequent escape to Normandy after the regicide.
Experts believe that the triptych dates back to 1100, with some alterations and restoration work done over the years. Despite receiving offers from potential buyers, including ones from Saudi Arabia and an unidentified American businessman, the Tirelli family is more inclined towards donating the artwork to a museum in Colchester or Scotland. The family’s representative, Alexandro Tirelli, emphasized the importance of returning the artwork to its depicted locations.
The historical significance of the triptych lies not only in its portrayal of William II’s death but also in its rarity, considering the limited artistic output of the Normans during that period. The artwork has been examined by historians and antiquities experts in both Italy and the UK. Notably, the craftsmanship of the piece suggests a level of familiarity with the Bayeux tapestry, indicating a possible connection between the two works.
While the exact timeline of the triptych’s journey to Italy remains unclear, it is currently housed in Austria. The Tirelli family is keen on eventually relocating the artwork to the UK, where it can be appreciated in a museum setting. With a strong desire to preserve its historical significance and share it with the public, the family sees the donation as a way to honor their ancestry and contribute to cultural heritage conservation.