TAPESTRIES to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta are currently on show at Taunton’s Castle House.

The tapestries, which were designed and sewn by Royal embroiderer Rhoda Nevins, were opened at a display at the hotel on Tuesday afternoon by Primrose Mallet Hill, of Curry Mallet, a direct descendant of one of the barons who witnessed the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215.

Rhoda, a member of the Royal School of Needlework, helped to embroider the wedding dress of Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.

Rhoda designed 12 panels to commemorate one of the most important events in British history.

The touring exhibition will be seen by thousands of people during the year and on June 15 will be displayed at Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was signed, at an event expected to be attended by the Queen.

Castle House manager Chris Sidaway said: “It’s a real coup to have the embroideries here.

“The panels tell the story of how the Magna Carta was sealed in the various charter towns and how it influenced the spread of law and order throughout the British Empire.

“The panels produced by Rhoda and her team are beautifully done and this exhibition presents a rare opportunity for people to see them in the South West.”

The panels on show in Taunton include five dedicated to each Magna Carta Trust town – Bury St Edmunds, St Albans, Runnymede, Canterbury and the City of London.

A further panel shows the shields of the 25 barons who were present at the sealing and four panels tell how the Magna Carta influenced the constitutions and legal systems of India, Australia, Canada and the USA.

Each panel is 594 x 841mm and is embroidered using appliqué techniques with various fabrics including silk and gold threads.

The tapestries will be on show at the Castle House until April 25.