Tapestries are wall hangings; traditionally woven from wool, silk and metal threads. Unlike embroidery the design is an integral part of the textile rather than a decoratively stitched fabric.

Tapestry was the most popular art form of the English Tudor court.  They were costly to produce and created an impressive yet portable means of displaying royal power and ideals both through the luxury of the materials and the stories that they told. Historically they were woven in sets, with a different chapter from the story depicted on each tapestry.  Different sets would be hung according to the season or for a special event.  Records show that at the time of his death Henry VIII owned about 2,500 pieces of tapestry.  Some of Henry’s finest tapestries, including this one, form part of the 72-piece collection currently in our care.

To learn more about the remarkable story of this 500 year-old tapestry and its survival find Abraham in the picture and click on his image.