A few years ago I was doing research into canvas pavilion when a Google search kicked out something way more interesting. It was not about the pavilion itself, but about something found inside the pavilions. Inside the King’s pavilions, as dividers and also just as decorations, could be found beautifully painted canvasses. Most of them were seen as temporary and changed as the design styles at court changed, but these few examples survived because they were re-used at Henry VIII’s Nonsuch Palace and then it seems re-used again at Loseley House.
The panels were painted in the Grotesque Style (a style I love) with images of Gods and Goddesses, but what also caught my eye was the description of similar panels to employ the King’s arms and badges and garter and suitable animals around the garter. Clearly, as is often the case in the time period, the panels were not only meant to be idle decorations, they were also meant to clearly show any visitor who’s tent they were in.
This inspired me to start work on a set of similar panels designed to highlight my own SCA history. It is always so much nicer to have something that has a personal meaning and so often we forget that for much of the middle ages a lot of the populace might have been illiterate, but they were well educated in the imagery of court, mythology and even the plants and animals used.
Further research into painted cloths showed two more common uses for them. The one was as an alternative to a tapestry and often were done to look like a tapestry. The most notable of this is the Chapel at Hardwick Hall.
Of the other one unfortunately only descriptions remains, but the logic behind it is very clear. As long as the king lived styling yourself “Kingly” could have fatal consequences. In fact even if the king was laying on his deathbed and you were his acknowledged heir doing anything that seemed like you were wishing the king dead (like getting your royal regalia together) would be seen as wishing the king dead. However the moment the king died you (and a few of your cousins and a few apposing families) had to proclaim yourself as king with all the associated glitter straight away. We know that even the Royal Arms often changed with different monarchs. So while the Royal Tapestry makers and embroiderers were often feverishly working away, the first cloth of state were often painted canvas.
While my device is by no means a cloth of state, painted canvas does make for a cheap and easy way to add some medieval atmosphere to a campsite.
After entering my painted cloths in a competition a household in the area came to ask me if I would mind if they used “my idea” to paint some panels for the king and queen. I found this very amusing since it is not my idea at all, it is in fact a proven Tudor idea. I of cause gave them my full permission, and also to anyone else who wished to paint and they were kind enough to name me as inspiration when their panels were presented.
For the article that originally inspired me go here:
<http://arthistorynews.com/articles/1149_A_rare_Tudor_survival>