A few weeks ago, on opening day actually, I went to see a new exhibition at the Guildhall Art Gallery which features over 200 items dating from the Middle Ages to the present day, many of them viewable for the first time.
There is a wide range of historical items, royal, military, ecclesiastical, and theatrical costumes, and fine examples of modern jewellery, silversmithing, and embroidery.
One of the highlights of the exhibition for me was to see the Bacton Altar cloth after blogging about it many years ago. and is the only surviving gown of Queen Elizabeth I.
There are plenty of Royal related items and not all of them old as can be seen by this splendid uniform for one of the guards for King Charles III
Above you have a robe for the Order of the Garter whilst below are two rather distinguished military figures.
It’s not all pomp and circumstance though. I think my favourite item is below. It is sometimes worn by the Bishop of St Pauls Cathedral and is richly decorate with dozens of some of the most picturesque churches in London.
Another great historical item is this suit below, worn by a certain Charles Dickens when attending a Royal Court.
I’m not particularly into clothes as anyone who has seen my clothes can attest to but everything here has incredibly detailed craftsmanship and as well as clothes there is a treasure trove of silver and other works of fine art too.
The exhibition still has a few weeks to run to if you’re in town do go and see it.
For an altogether more grim royal item of clothing then nip over to https://stephenliddell.co.uk/2023/04/11/the-stained-undershirt-worn-by-king-charles-i-for-his-exocution/
Stephen Liddell 