The exhibition of members' work for 2012 entitled 'A Bouquet of Medieval Stitches' will be exploring the Middle Ages through the living traditions of thread and stitch, drawing on the vivid inspiration of the Medieval Period. So what is Medieval? The Middle Ages are generally accounted to be the 5th to the 15th centuries; from the fall of Rome (406) to the fall of Constantinople (1464) and the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America (1492). This period covers the Crusades, the Vikings, the Byzantine Empire, Celtic Christianity, the Shoguns and Samurai of Japan, the War of the Roses, the rise of Islam to name but a few of the major events of the period. It was the time of building of Europe's greatest cathedrals, decorated with intricate stone carving, rich colours and vibrant stained glass. The time of the creation of our best known and best loved stories and characters: Robin Hood, Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table, Beowulf, the Canterbury Tales, the voyages of Sinbad, the time of faeries, fables and folklore; knights and dragons; castles and kings. This exhibition will feature many different pieces reflecting the diversity of Guild members, from sewing necessaires and essamplaires to household linens and needlepoint tapestries presenting a view of the lives of chatelaines of the great manors and castles; to pictures, personal adornments and hand sewn books all drawing on the rich culture of the Middle Ages. Our Museum will be presenting the opulence of the period with beautiful items from the Guild collection such as ecclesiastic embroideries, rich gold work and a fascinating piece incorporating real beetle wings.
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