The captivating story of Tudor dress, its construction and symbolism, and the individuals who made and wore it

The Tudor monarchs and their courtiers are one of the crucial best-known figures in history. They continue, even lately, to spark our curiosity and imagination. Their enduring popularity is surely partly as a result of the iconic portraits during which they’re depicted in magnificent style, in farthingales and ruffs, furs and jewels, codpieces and cloaks, and vast expanses of velvet and silk. Far from being mere decoration, fashion used to be pivotal in the communication of status and power.  It used to be used as a tool in securing and holding the tenuous Tudor throne and as a competitive weapon in the factions, intrigues and love-affairs of the court.
 
This book presents new details about the fashions of the Tudor dynasty, offering fresh insight into their social and political milieu. Histories of Kings and Queens complement stories of unsung dressmakers, laundresses, and officials charged with maintaining and transporting the immense Tudor wardrobes from palace to palace. Evidence from rare surviving garments and textiles, original documents, fine and decorative art, and archaeological findings toughen our understanding of the Tudors and their courts. Handsomely illustrated, this sumptuous book contextualises Tudor dress within the buildings during which it used to be worn and fills in gaps in our knowledge of the period and its fascinating historical figures.