Tapestries

No nobleman's castle is complete without wall hangings to keep it warm and cosy (and to show off his wealth). These can display all variety of scenes from pictures of mythical creatures, depictions of important historical events often chosen to show the importance and power of the family.

The finest pieces will be displayed in the great hall and guest bedrooms to show the wealth of a family but the lord will often have his own favourite scenes to display in their private rooms. These will, more often than not, be pieces made by their wives and daughters, decorative weaving and embroidery are common hobbies of noblewoman to pass their time and provide useful decoration for their families.

Manufacturing process

The beautiful designs are made through a mixture of weaving and embroidery. This process will take months if not years to create gorgeous designs worthy of display in the home or to guests.

Young children, daughters, are often taught to sew but in noble households this will often extend to embroidery as well. Some are also taught to weave simple and complex designs which can then also be sewn over to create scenes from mythical and historical stories.

Significance

The more elaborate designs are symbols of both wealth and skill. Nobles will pay craftspeople exorbitant amounts to decorate their castles with complete sets of designs recounting mythical tales or the lord's own heroic exploits.

Sometimes noblemen will also choose to display tapestries made by the women of their family, their sisters, wives, or daughters to show the skill of their families or when they cannot afford great masterpieces themselves.

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I run my fingers over mama's box of threads, so many pretty colours.

"Which one should we use, Cecie?" She asks, "Which one is your favourite?"

I look at them again. "I don't know."

"Okay," she laughs, "what colour are the flowers in the garden?"

I pick up one of the purples and yellows. "My brother likes these ones." I reply, "the ones where the petals change colour part way down." I look down at the two threads. "I don't know if we can do that...catch that with this?"

"We can try," she says. "And we'll love it either way."

Item type

Furniture

Rarity

Tapestries of varying quality are on display in every castle in the country. The finest are of course reserved for the King himself.

Raw materials & Components

They are made of a mix of woven fabric designs and embroidery.

Tools

A loom is required for the woven components of the design