[Regia-NA] York reliquary pouch

[Hazel Uzzell]

'Isn't important' for shame Guthrum! Apparently the only example of chain
stitch in this country from the period!

>From 'Textiles, Cordage & raw Fibre from 16-22 Coppergate'. P.Walton p440
Reliquary made up of a) an outer pouch, 33x30mm, of weft faced compound
twill, and b) an inner pouch, approximately 24x20mm of two tabbies.
Outer pouch:Wa/18-20 singles + 16-17 pairs (i.e 50-4) Zx We/40 +40 (80) I:
selvedge: dyed with kermes plus an unknown dyestuff.
Inner pouch: one tabby, 40/Sx60/I: the other 20 pairs/S/Sx52I. Not tested
for dyes.
The outer pouch is stitched with single strand I twist silk, 0.5mm diam. and
has a cross embroidered with single strand S twist silk, 0.5 - 7mm and 0.4
mm diam. The embroidery is a rough chain stitch.
Hazel

Period 5B which makes it  975 - early 11C
It looks pinkish and is trapezoid in shape 25mm wide at the top and 30mm
wide at the bottom fold.
The inner ,package' looks fawn and has been stitched into a rectangular
shape.
No one knows for sure what was in it.