is embroidered.]

On the head, where the hair was closely coiled with a few curls at the
forehead, a wimple was worn, which was wound about the head and
thrown over the shoulder, not allowing the hair to show. These
wimples were sometimes very broad, and were almost like a mantle, so
that they fell over the shoulders below the breast.

Tied round the wimple they sometimes had a snood, or band of silk.

The shoes were like those worn by the men.

These ladies were all housewives, cooking, preparing simples, doing
embroidery and weaving. They were their own milliners and dressmakers,
and generally made their husbands' clothes, although some garments
might be made by the town tailors; but, as a rule, they weaved, cut,
sewed, and fitted for their families, and then, after the garments
were finished to satisfaction, they would begin upon strips of
embroidery to decorate them.

In such occupation we may picture them, and imagine them sitting by
the windows with their ladies, busily sewing, looking up from their
work to see hedged fields in lambing-time, while shepherds in rough
sheepskin clothes drove the sheep into a neat enclosure, and saw to it
that they lay on warm straw against the cold February night.

WILLIAM THE SECOND

Reigned thirteen years: 1087-1100.

Born _c._ 1060.

THE MEN

[Illustration: {A man of the time of William II.}]

About this time there came to England a Norman, who settled near by
the Abbey of Battle--Baldwin the Tailor by name, whom one might call
the father of English tailoring.

Baldwin the Tailor sat contentedly cross-legged on his bench and plied
his needle and thread, and snipped, and cut, and sewed, watching the
birds pick worms and insects from the turf of the battleground.

[Illustration: A MAN OF THE TIME OF WILLIAM II. (1087-1100)

Shows the wide drawers with an embroidered hem. Under them can be
seen the long woollen drawers bound with leather thongs.]

England is getting a little more settled.

The reign opens picturesquely enough with William Rufus hastening to
England with his father's ring, and ends with the tragedy of the New
Forest and a blood-stained tunic.

Clothes begin to play an important part. Rich fur-lined cloaks and
gowns trail on the ground, and sweep the daisies so lately pressed by
mailed feet and sopped with blood where the Saxons fell.

[Illustration: The Cloak pushed through a Ring.]

Times have changed since Baldwin w