TAPESTRY WALL COVERINGS 



367 



in their subjects to tapestry, and tapestry had been a favourite 

 means of covering walls from very early times (Figs. 291, 293). 

 In the seventeenth century it was much in vogue among the rich, 

 both on the Continent and in England, and a noble form of 

 de'coration it is. It would be beside the mark to recount the 

 history of tapestry weaving at any length, but it is of interest to 

 know that during the seventeenth century the English factory at 





FlG. 292. Chimney-Piece in the Mayor's Parlour, The Town Hall, 

 South Molton, Devonshire. 



Mortlake was the most renowned in the world, and produced 

 some of the finest tapestries that have come down to us. The 

 factory was founded in 1619 by James I., and with it are 

 connected the names of two families who have already been 

 mentioned in these pages. The first was that of the Cranes, the 

 other the Montagus. 1 Sir Francis Crane, who built a house at 

 Stoke Bruerne, in Northamptonshire (see pp. 174, 176), managed 

 the factory for many years on behalf of the king, and made a 

 considerable fortune. The factory flourished under James I. 

 and Charles I., but declined under the Commonwealth. After 



1 See "Tapestry Weaving in England," by W. ('.. Thomson. (Batsford.) 



