At the start of this year, we were approached to work on a very exciting large scale project run preparation for the launch of the new DOOM: The Dark Ages Game. The premise was that the developer Bethesda wanted to harness the spirit of the Middle Ages through one of the periods most famous artworks, the Bayeux Tapestry but with the Slayer as the subject of the Tapestry.
Bringing on board French Illustrator Simon De Thuillières, the artwork was created for this 10 meter long tapestry depicting the Slayer working his way though the various level and bosses within the game but in an archaic style befitting the presentation method and this the Slayeux Tapestry started to take shape.
This is where we got involved as we began to translate the illustrations into embroideries and tell the story down the length of the Tapestry. Safe to say there a lots of interesting characters in this piece, the more you look the more you can appreciate the personalities within the four panels that made up the whole piece. We used a mixture of satin stitching and complex patterned fills to build up the filled areas, with Polyester and Cotton effect threads in stem stitch for a handsy feel to the line details.
The use of the word tapestry here is interesting as like the original, the Slayeux Tapestry is in fact not a tapestry in the sense we think of it now but an embroidery. There are several reason attributed to the mix up in the name, the first being that historically almost all wall hangings were referred to was tapestries and so it is more about its usage than the method of creation. There is also an element that during the Middle Ages, the Tapestry industry was mainly populated by men and enjoyed a high level of respect as an art form, lining the walls of many palaces. Embroidery also commanded some respect but not to the same extent as it was often viewed as a women’s craft rather than an art form. An association which pervades even to recent years with textiles arts still being excluded from some major Fine Art prizes. The Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition only began to include textile arts for the 2021 submissions, a rule which had remain unchanged since 1770 which excluded “needlework, flowers, cut paper, shell-work or any such baubles”. Therefore the use of the word Tapestry in relation to the Bayeux Tapestry gave the piece a more elevated status despite being an embroidery and most likely having been produced by women.
It almost goes without saying but it was many hands that made this project possible. Working within a team of embroideries to bring something like this to life is always a joyful and bonding experience. You can’t help but become closer to the people you are working in such close proximity too.
Once the embroidery was complete, then came the construction as there was still trim to be added to the banner to help to give it structure, the joining of the four panels together and a full lining to finish all the edges. This then was transported up to Leeds where it was put on display the the Royal Armouries.
Ahead of the highly anticipated release of DOOM: The Dark Ages, publish Bethesda and the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds —the home of the UK’s national collection of arms and armour—are joining forces to bring the war-scarred fantasy universe of DOOM to life in ‘Welcome to the Dark Ages‘, an exclusive exhibition running from 9 to 16 May 2025.
This unique collaboration blends medieval myth and futuristic mayhem in a never-before-seen artistic tribute to developer id’s DOOM universe, including the centrepiece of the exhibition: the Slayeux Tapestry. Inspired by the famed Bayeux Tapestry — which chronicles the Norman victory at the battle of Hastings in 1066 — the Slayeux Tapestry uses iconic imagery to depict the dynamic battles featured in the upcoming DOOM: The Dark Ages, which is being developed by id Software.
Just as the Bayeux Tapestry immortalised historical warfare, the Slayeux Tapestry captures the action-packed saga of the DOOM Slayer, reimagining the game’s non-stop action in an art style truly befitting its medieval setting. The tapestry was meticulously designed by French illustrator Simon De Thuillières.
Opening the event will be Reacher star and world-renowned strongman Olivier Richters (aka “The Dutch Giant”), who will appear in full DOOM Slayer costume as seen in DOOM: The Dark Ages to unleash the exhibition on the public.
Alongside the handcrafted 10-metre tapestry chronicling the Slayer’s legendary crusade, the week-long Welcome to the Dark Ages exhibition also features a series of stunning displays detailing the iconic weaponry from DOOM: The Dark Ages.
The piece looked pretty amazing against the backdrop of the Royal Armouries. It was on display along with some other ‘relics’ from the game which had been commissioned and was topped off with knights in full armour and 7’2” strong man Olivier Richters playing the Slayer in full costume.
