Note 212 — SCENE III.
Reading edition
The art of weaving tapestry was brought into England by William Sheldon, Esq., about the end of the reign of Henry VIII. (See Dugdale's "Warwickshire," p. 584.) In the time of James I., a manufacture of tapestry was set up at Mortlake, in Surrey, and soon arrived at a high degree of excellence. King James gave £2000 towards the undertaking; and Sir Francis Crane erected the house to execute the design in. Francis Cleyn painted for the workmen, and to such a pitch of perfection had the art been carried, that Archbishop Williams paid for the four seasons, worked, I suppose, for hangings, £2500.—(Walpole's "Anecdotes," ii. 21-128.) Mortlake tapestry continued long in repute, and is mentioned in Oldham's Satire in imitation of the Third Satire of Juvenal—
"Here some rare piece Of Rubens or Vandyke presented is: There a rich suit of Mortlack tapestry, A bed of damask or embroidery."