Embroidering her Truth
Clare Hunter
I felt that Mary was there, pulling at my sleeve, willing me to appreciate the artistry, wanting me to understand the dazzle of the material world that shaped her. At her execution Mary, Queen of Scots wore red. Widely known as the colour of strength and passion, it was in fact worn by Mary as the Catholic symbol of martyrdom.
In sixteenth-century Europe women’s voices were suppressed and silenced. Even for a queen like Mary, her prime duty was to bear sons. In an age when textiles expressed power, Mary exploited them to emphasise her female agency.
In this eloquent cultural biography, Clare Hunter exquisitely blends history, politics and memoir to tell the story of a queen in her own voice.
What do our staff think?
I was intrigued by this book, hearing about the opulent fabrics and embroidery and the idea that textiles could have a different meaning beyond defining your social class. It blends history, politics and memoir. An excellent read.
Written by Jan
£12.99
