We were approached at the end of 2016 to produce a Laudian Fall for the Altar in the Royal Chapel at Hampton Court Palace. A Laudian Fall or altar cloth takes its name from Archbishop Laud who advocated High Church Principles and especially emphasised liturgical ceremony. A Laudian Fall has rounded corners at the front so is a large semi-circle when being made.

In our 30th anniversary year at the Palace, what better way to celebrate than to work with Historic Royal Palaces to create an important historical piece of embroidery that can be enjoyed for many years to come.

It is an all season Festal Frontal so the base colour has to be cream, however we also felt that it was important to feature some of the blue that is so dominant in the chapel’s stunning ceiling. The fabric used is St Margaret’s Brocade which includes a coronet and Tudor rose in the figured pattern.  The weave is a mix of cream and metallic gold which is subtle and catches the light as it is viewed from different angles.

The design is ‘The Glory’ which contains IHS, a cross and three nails. The Glory and lettering was applied to Cloth of Gold with blue silk forming the shadow on the rays and the background of the central area. The fabric is edged with a combination of gold Japanese thread and Pearl Purl along with a blue twist to echo the blue silk. The nails are worked in silver kid leather and decorated with silver passing to form the head of the nail.

We worked closely with Canon Antony Howe, the Deputy Priest in Ordinary and Chaplain at Hampton Court Palace, and John Barnes, now Chief Executive of Historic Royal Palaces.

The Frontal needed to be completed for a very special service taking place on 13 June 2017 which was attended by Her Majesty the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.  It was the Centenary Celebrations for the Companions of Honour who include Sir David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Lord Seb Coe and Sir John Major.  Dr Susan Kay-Williams, our Chief Executive, also invited with Margaret Dier, RSN Tutor and member of the RSN Embroidery Studio who had designed the Fall.