92 DERBYSHIRE TAPESTRY. 



realm." "In 1567-8, colonies of Flemish weavers, more or less 

 important, settled in Canterbury, Norwich, Sandwich, Colchester, 

 and Maidstone" (Miintz). It was about this period that the 

 remarkable hangings of the "Four Seasons," now in the armoury 

 at Hatfield House, the seat of the Marquis of Salisbury, were 

 executed. This tapestry is certainly English, and in many ways 

 retains the conventionalism of the earlier schools. The verdures 

 are radiant with flowers of every hue, reminding us of the grassy 

 or rather almost floral beds of the fifteenth century. The bor- 

 ders are composed of forty-two medallions, each with small 

 human figures setting forth some virtue. Each quarter is 

 characterised by the signs of the zodiac peculiar to its season, 

 and exhibits in endless variety the pursuits and recreations of 

 that particular period of the year.. The personifications of the 

 seasons are not well drawn, but the verdures are all that could 

 be desired. 



Very much, and some of the best, of our Derbysliire tapestry 

 was woven at Mortlake, in Surrey. Here, in 16 19, Sir Francis 

 Crane, under the special patronage and encouragement of Jaines I., 

 established a famous manufactory, which speedily rivalled the 

 ateliers of the Continent. The best weavers, as of yore, were 

 obtained from Belgium. Amongst ihein were Jesse Ampe, of 

 Bruges, Jesse Inghels, Jacques Hendricx, Pierie Foquentin, 

 Simon Heynes, of Oudenarde, and Van Quickelburghes, who 

 came about 1630 (Cal. State Papers, IV., 441-2). 



The monogram of Sir Francis Crane -in appears on the 

 pieces made under his regime. He was kp Chancellor of 

 the Order of the Garter, and the first master of the Mortlake 

 School. He died June 26th, 1636, when his brother Sir 

 Richard succeeded to his charge. Sir Richard sold the Mort- 

 lake premises erected by his brother to King Charles I. He 

 was followed by another, whose initials " J. C." appear on a 

 hanging of the Miraculous Draught of Fishes, with the date 

 1646. 



Sir Sackville Crow was master of these works in 1670 (Belvoir 

 MSS. II., 16). The mark used by Sir Sackville consisted of a 



