ABSTRACT
The New Year’s Gift Rolls show that an increasing number of items of clothing were given to Elizabeth as the years went by. It is hardly surprising that both embroidery and fabrics became more and more elaborate, since the donors were not only striving to please the Queen and show their loyalty, but also to keep abreast of each other. As Queen of England, Elizabeth played an intricate game of matrimonial alliances with suitors from all over Europe for years. The game’s success depended a great deal on her appearance and the illusion of eternal youth. A yard of white sarsenet was bought to line a gown of orange velvet and the Tudor pale red gold hair and white skin would have been enhanced by a kirtle of russet velvet, newly edged with matching velvet. A kirtle of yellow satin was edged with yellow velvet and one of green satin with green velvet.
