<b>Object Type</b><br>Making up large decorative hangings from a number of smaller panels which were then applied to a sympathetic background material, was a popular pastime of well to do ladies in the 16th century. This allowed for a group of women to work on individual panels at the same time. If required, the hanging could be dismantled at a later stage and the panels re-used.<br><br><b>People</b><br>It is very rare to be able to identify surviving embroideries as having been owned or worked by royalty. Unfortunately for the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots, she had plenty of time while imprisoned to work on numerous embroideries, some of which have her initials or cipher. This activity must have both filled her time and occupied her mind and many of the emblems or mottoes used have more significance than is immediately apparent.<br><br><b>Materials & Making</b><br>Although relatively costly silk, silver and gold threads are used in the Oxburgh embroideries, the tent stitch used is one of the simplest to work. The result was a set of both serviceable and decorative panels which when mounted together would produce a functional and hardwearing hanging.