Note 395 — Part 8.

Viollet-le-Duc, “Dictionnaire du Mobilier Français, Tapis,” p. cxii; also M. Jubinal, “Tapisserie Historique.” It is difficult absolutely to assign to any known specimens a date anterior to the fifteenth century; although M. de Champeaux thinks that the “Sarazinois” were mostly or entirely carpet-weavers about the eleventh century. He says there is documentary authority to prove that these were woven with flowers and animals. There is a very deep-piled velvety carpet at Gorhambury (the Earl of Verulam’s place). Here Queen Elizabeth’s arms and cypher appear on a Persian or Moresque ground pattern surrounded with a wreath of oak leaves. It may have been a gift from Spain,—left after one of her visits to her Chancellor.