s. The angels, the
two cherubim clothed in peacocks' feathers, the fine split-stitch, the
gold grounding, and the drawing are also distinctly English.

I give an outline of the pluvial from photographs,[510] and a finished
woodcut of the centre to show the style and condition of the work. The
design is most beautiful, and we can only regret the loss of the
border, which has been entirely cut off. This shows how elaborate is
the design, yet how artistically arranged as a whole composition.
(Plate 56, 57.)

It is difficult to settle the precedence between this splendid piece
of church decoration and the rival pluvial of Bologna in the Museo
Civico, said to have come from the church of San Giacomo. It resembles
in style and execution that of St. Silvester, but its architectural
arrangement contains six circles of subjects, worked like the other in
silk and gold, with gold groundings; and both are embroidered on
linen. On careful examination of this splendid work of art, I have
come to the conclusion that it is English. (Plate 58.)

The Daroca cope (lately belonging to the Archaeological Museum at
Madrid) is undoubtedly English. We can claim it by its peculiar
shrine-work, and the twined columns on the orphreys; by the cherubim,
by the peacock-feathered angels, and by the form of the panels
enclosing the different subjects, from the "Life of Our Lord." (Plate
59.)

The cope of Boniface VIII. in the Vatican came from the church of his
native place, Anagni (plate 60), where are still very curious old
embroideries (see Hon. and Rev. I. Clifford's list of embroideries in
Appendix 5). Some appear extremely ancient, but there is no sign by
which they may be dated. Some are probably of the thirteenth century,
and are very coarse Italian work, though finely designed (plate 61).
There are doubtless many interesting specimens still to be found in
the sacristies of Italian churches. But they have generally been
transferred to museums.

[Illustration: Pl. 62.
1. From Tomb in Worcester Cathedral, of Bishop Walter de Cantilupe,
consecrated 1236.
2. Embroidered Cope at Aix in Switzerland.]

[Illustration: Pl. 63.
Mitre of Thomas a Becket at Sens, showing the Scandinavian Fylfot
Cross (thirteenth century).
Jewelled Cross on Rose-coloured Cope at Rheims (twelfth century).]

In the tomb of Walter de Cantilupe (eighteenth century) at Worcester,
were found the remains of a dress which is decidedly