[MR] History Blog: Bacton Altar Cloth Preservation & Display

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Today the History Blog is offering another feature on the Bacton Altar
Cloth, a textile which is now believed to have been made from Queen
Elizabeth I's dress in the Rainbow Portrait, and is her only known
surviving garment. The Bacton Altar Cloth has been given the full
conservation treatment and will be on display for the next few months at
Hampton Court Palace, alongside the magnificient Rainbow Portrait:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/56718 .

With today's post, Lady Livius (History Blog's author) has provided us with
links to three brief YouTube videos. The first shows the charming St.
Faith's church in Bacton, and discusses how the altar cloth survived for
some 400 years (sometimes stored under the vicar's bed). The second shows
how the altar cloth was conserved, and discusses some of the surprises the
came to light in the process. The final video shows how the altar cloth and
the Rainbow Portrait arrived at Hampton Court Palace, and how they were set
up for display. The moment when the Palace doors swing open to admit the
portrait and the conservators is especially dramatic. You will also be able
to share in the relief of the conservators as they navigate up stairs,
around corners, and through tiny doorways with the precious painting, then
see their joy as they put the finishing touches on the exhibit. All three
videos are worthy of your time.

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆