I enjoyed reading about Mary, Queen of Scots' prison embroideries recently. They're full of symbolism - hidden and not so hidden meaning. The pieces made at Oxburgh Hall, where Mary was kept captive for the greatest period of time, are some of her most famous. There are many examples from this period - Mary was even joined by one of her jailers, the aristocrat Bess of Hardwick, herself an accomplished embroiderer. Subjects range from allegories of Mary's situation to everyday animals found in Tudor Britain - cats, dogs, honey bees - and more fantastical creatures such as unicorns and dragons.
A mouse's tail here is held by a ginger cat - an allegory for Queen Mary and her red haired cousin Elizabeth.
Unicorn
Beehive
Marigolds (Mary's gold) wilting in the harsh sun
It's inspired me to look at talismans and lucky charms to embroider - symbols we like to keep near during times of need...
