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sewn on trim |
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sewn on edging |
Embroidery and decorations
The arming coat of the Black Prince is heavily embroidered quarterly in the arms of England and France. Aside from that garment, there is remarkably little ornamentation preserved. There was some small decoration on some of the Herjolfsnes garments however. A fine 'prick stitch' was used (what Norlund mistakenly calls 'back stitch').
| Closed surcote | H38 | The seams joining the side gores are ornamented at the waist with a row of backstitches (note - actually prick stitch). The bottom of the dress was embroidered to represent cord similar to that edging the sleeves and wrist openings. |
| Fitted Kirtle | H41 | Where the seams of the gores come close together at the waist, they are ornamented with a row of backstitches (note - actually prick stitch). The sleeve opening has a row of backstitches, and the hem has two rows of backstitches (again, these are prick stitches). |
According to Norlund, the other type of ornamentation used in the Herjolfsnes garments is basic cord. There are several different types, from simple two-ply twist, one example of ten-ply, and most commonly plaited cord, usually of three-strand but in some cases six. (see the hemming page for details on this.) The cord was used for edging , lacing, etc. Garments could be edged around the neck, the sleeves, the lower edge and the fitchets. It makes for a very discreet decoration.
As a matter of fact this is not plaited but tabletwoven cord, with the weft used to sew it down as it is woven.
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sewn on trim |
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sewn on edging |
