 Scholars agree that three embroidered items from the coffin of St Cuthbert in Durham are Anglo @-@ Saxon work , based on an inscription describing their commission by Queen Ælfflæd between 909 and 916 . These include a stole and maniple ornamented with figures of prophets outlined in stem stitch and filled with split stitch , with halos in gold thread worked with underside couching . The quality of this silk embroidery on a gold background is " unparalleled in Europe at this time . " 
