The St Marys Hall Coventry Tapestry. Weaving the Threads Together

Webb, Mary (ed.)

Published by Shaun Tyas, Donington, 2024

About this Item

A fine new copy. The impressive early-sixteenth-century tapestry at St Mary?s Hall, Coventry, has always been regarded as the jewel in the crown of the city?s surviving medieval treasures, yet so much about it is unknown. Little new had been written about the tapestry for a century until 2019, when a conference involving expert speakers was held to deepen our understanding. The proceedings of that conference are now published with additional materials and many high-resolution photographs, edited by Mark Webb. The tapestry?s iconography and its interpretation is examined by Frederick Hepburn. The city of Coventry during its medieval heyday under King Henry VI and Queen Katherine of Anjou, who are illustrated on the tapestry, is examined by Joanna Laynesmith; and the city during the early-sixteenth century when the tapestry was commissioned and procured from the highly respected Flemish weaver centre of Tournai for a princely sum, is covered by the editor. The architecture and history of St Mary?s Hall, where the tapestry has always been displayed, is given a major review by George Demidowicz. The stained glass window of nine kings and conquerors, above the tapestry, is examined by Jonathan Foyle and connected to the exterior arrangement of the building facade and references to the iconography of the Nine Worthies. There is a thorough review of how the tapestry was made by the editor and textiles conservator Ina Vanden Berghe. A comparison is made with another Tournai tapestry, that of The Story of Judith and Holofernes in Brussels by Marthe Krick-Kunziger and Wendy Toulson records how the tapestry has been cared for and recently restored. The book includes a great many high-quality reproductions of materials in archives as well as modern digital photography of works in museums and private collections, and of the tapestry itself, in colour. The retail price has been generously subsidised by two generous grants from academic charities. 240pp. Seller Inventory # 061809

Bibliographic Details

Title: The St Marys Hall Coventry Tapestry. Weaving...

Publisher: Shaun Tyas, Donington

Publication Date: 2024

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: New

Dust Jacket Condition: New

Edition: 1st Edition