SILK) ETC. 581 



carpets. These articles seem to have been either table-covers 

 or coverlets to beds. The c carpet with the arms of England' 

 purchased in 1284 for the Earl of Clare was probably silk and 

 embroidery. Other carpets bought in the following year were, 

 it seems, woollen stuffs, and were used as rugs by those who lay 

 on the banquarius, that is the stuffed or padded bench, covered 

 in the earl's house with a sort of drugget or stuff. Such is the 

 tapetum of 1320. (Vol. ii. p. 570. ii.) 



Blankets are occasionally quoted in their modern sense. 

 Thus at Ibstone in the year 1359, two blankets, each of three 

 yards long, are purchased; and in 1374, two pairs of the same 

 articles cost ^i 4*., and a quilt and mattress \ ly. ql. 

 These, again, were purchased for the warden, for whom a bed 

 had been bought in 1345, at the cost of ^i 5*.; and another 

 in 1370 for ,9^4. 



A night-cap is once given (vol. ii. p. 541. Hi.), as also a 

 linen veil for night wear, and a lumbaris, which seems to be 

 either a girdle or a pair of drawers. Knitted goods seem also 

 to be known, as the c caligse de Wyrstede' in 1320 and 1321. 



An entry in 1321, to which may be added another from 

 Cuxham in 1320, which is not contained in the second volume, 

 gives the price of thread at 2^. the pound. Buttons are bought 

 in 1284 (vol. ii. p. 567. ii.) at 6d. a dozen. Sewing was done 

 by women- and many examples might be found of persons 

 hired to this service either by day or piece. It is possible that 

 linen was marked, and that the piece of canvas c pro samplero' 

 (vol. ii. p. 539. i.) is an early example of the c sampler' or guide 

 for working letters. 



Caligae, that is gaskins or gaiters, are often mentioned in 

 the accounts. They seem sometimes to be made of cloth sewn 

 to fit the wearer's leg sometimes, as observed above, they are 

 knitted. 



Cloth caps appear to have been used. Two such caps are 

 priced in the warden's expenses in 1377, at SJ. and 4^.; 

 and another at is. in 1379. But I have found no other 

 examples. 



