DKRHVSHIRF. TAPES IRY. I 37 



through the Newdigates into the possession of the present Duke 

 of Norfolk, and so the tapestry returned to the family of the 

 original owners.* 



The hangings are three in number, and measure each about 

 II feet by lo feet. The subjects are obviously classical, but the 

 scenes are mostly conjectural. Two of the hangings have 

 borders about a foot wide, showing a design composed of cupids, 

 birds, fruits, and flowers, the lily predominating. 



No trade or weaver's marks, indicating the origin of the 

 tapestry, remain in the margins, but they may have been trimmed 

 to adapt them to their present position, since they fit the two 

 sides of the entrance hall exactly. 



I. — An emperor wearing a wreath like those on the coins of the 

 Ctesars is seated in a magnificent chair of state beneath 

 an open tent. Behind the chair of the monarch stands 

 an aged man, obviously of some importance, with his 

 hand resting on the back of the seat. On each side of 

 the Emperor stands a soldier ; in one case, however (on 

 the dexter side), the head only appears. The same feature 

 occurs in the hanging in the chaplain's room at Haddon, 

 of which this hanging is clearly a replica or duplicate. 

 ( Vide pp. 1 20, 12 1.) 



Before the Emperor stands a warrior, dismounted, in 

 the act of delivering some important communication, the 

 horse being held by a servant Behind the latter stand 

 three male attendants and a black boy, who points to a 

 dog with a broad collar. A trunk is placed near the feet 

 of the monarch. The warrior wears a helmet surmounted 

 by an emblem, half bird, half animal, topped by red and 

 white plumes. A lioness' head decorates the shoulder 

 knot of the Emperor. 



The warrior wears a dirk-shaped sword, with an eagle's 

 head for the boss of the hilt. Thick festoons of blue 

 leaves hang over the whole length of the picture. 



* Communicaled by Rev. F. Jourdain, Vicar of Ashbourne. 



