Text on Textile: Ælfflæd’s Embroideries
Gale R. Owen‐Crocker
Embroidered text is found on the reverse sides of both terminals a matching stole and maniple recovered from tomb Anglo-Saxon saint Cuthbert in Durham Cathedral. This vestment set remarkable for its rich materials decoration, which depict intellectual, theological iconography. The materials, technique, art style content confirm that embroideries are not contemporary with St Cuthbert. They can be dated to early tenth century among earliest survivals type embroidery flourished England elsewhere later Middle Ages. From internal evidence micro-text it possible construct biography embroideries, linking them dynastic struggles tenth-century Wessex explaining their presence Northumbrian shrine. vestments important history embroidery, major form medieval times. Along Carolingian inscribed textiles they provide significant female patronage. Deposited shrine thus becoming textile relics, manifest aspect piety
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