The four magnificent Devonshire Tapestries housed at the V&A are the only great fifteenth-century tapestries to survive the ravages of time. This book is a celebration of them and offers a unique insight the world of the late Middle Ages in rich and fascinating detail.
Hunting was a favourite pursuit of princes and noblemen in Medieval and Renaissance Europe. The elaborate rituals of the hunt were an integral part of court life, but not just as a sport - the meat and game provided were vital ingredients of household fare. The tapestries provide a vivid picture of the hunt in all its forms - falconry, hunting for otter, bear, deer, robbing a swans nest for eggs- and are packed with detail.
In addition the tapestries are a vital source of information about Medieval dress and fashion. We can learn what textiles and patterns were in favour, what styles and shapes of head-dresses, collars, belts and gowns were fashionable and how clothes were worn and by whom. These beautiful works of art are an unrivalled repository of costume and textile history.