Henry I (Beauclerk and the Lion of Justice)
He
reigned 1100 - 1135. This was William the Conqueror's fourth son. Married Edith (also known as Matilda) and then Adela
Stephen
He reigned 1135 - 1154. He was the nephew of Henry I. Married Matilda of Boulogne
Henry II
He reigned 1154 - 1189. He was the grandson of Henry I by his daughter Matilda and Geoffrey Plantagenet. Married Eleanor of Aquitaine
Richard I (Coeur-de-Lion)
He reigned 1189 - 1199. Son of Henry II. Married Berengaria of Navarre
John (Lackland)
He reigned 1199- 1216. He was Richard's brother. Married Isabelle, daughter of Earl of Gloucester and then Isabelle of Angouleme
Both William II (Rufus) who was King in the first year of this century and Richard I who was reigning in its final year, were killed by bowmen. Although there is no doubt that Richard's cross-bow bolt was meant for him, the debate goes on still as to whether King William Rufus was assassinated or the victim of a hunting companion's lousy shot.
Sylvia's embroidery notes
for the twelfth century panel
I loved working this panel. The background of mellow yellows and golds in which the cameos are set was easy on my eyes!
The intricacies of the gold leather lion was most time consuming. I had to create his features from a padded leather blank. I used padding to bring his rib cage into relief and also to accentuate the muscles in his haunches. His claws and nane were created by couching with gold braid. The thinness of his long tail made this particularly difficult to handle.
To achieve a three dimensional effect I always envisage where the light is coming from as I embroider the picture. For instance, with the 'religious foundations' motif I portrayed light coming from the left and reflecting off the columns. On Tamworth Castle you will see that the light is coming from the opposite side.
From Sylvia's photo album
I was delighted to be awarded an MBE in the 2002 New Year Honours. The Staffordshire Millennium Embroideries were created by me as a gift to the County of my birth - a unique and painless way for future generations to learn about the history of their county.
