Sussex author relaunches comic Bayeux Tapestry mystery novel

Howard Matthews, who writes under the pen name Howard of Warwick, is re-releasing The Bayeux Embroidery to coincide with the exhibition of the famous tapestry in London.

The novel imagines the creation of the historical artwork through a humorous lens, complete with missing nuns, political intrigue and an abundance of horses.

Mr Matthews said: "This period is fascinating and I enjoy writing about how history might have been, but probably wasn’t.

"All the Brother Hermitage books include period detail and historical facts, but not necessarily in the right order."

The Bayeux Embroidery is available in paperback from funnybookcompany.com and as an ebook on all major digital platforms.

The story follows King William’s investigator, Brother Hermitage, as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of nuns working on his tapestry.

Hermitage, a monk more comfortable in a scriptorium than the outside world, is a reluctant and inexperienced detective.

He is joined by Wat, a reformed weaver of adult-themed tapestries, and Cwen, a feisty and talented craftswoman.

The trio are disgusted to discover that the tapestry is, in fact, an embroidery, which dampens their investigative spirit.

Despite this, threats from Odo, Earl of Kent and the Archbishop of Canterbury, threatening physical and spiritual harm, push them to continue.

Their investigation uncovers a threat to the crown, some nasty nuns and a band of Saxons with peculiar beliefs.

The Bayeux Embroidery is part of The Chronicles of Brother Hermitage, a series of comedic medieval mysteries set in the early years of the Norman conquest.

The books follow the misadventures of Brother Hermitage as he fumbles through investigations with the help of Wat and Cwen, somehow managing to solve each case.

The series has sold almost a quarter of million copies.