Fabric of Resistance - Online Exhibition
Re-Use of Medieval Textiles:
There are numerous examples of English Catholics preserving medieval textiles from destruction after the Reformation. These examples were often modified and adapted to suit the changing styles of later centuries.
Made During Persecution:
Vestments were produced in England during the height of persecution in the 16th and 17th centuries but surviving examples are very rare. There is a great deal we do not know about these textiles, including how and where they were made. The 18th century saw a relaxation of persecution but examples of vestments made from dress fabrics indicates that religious practice remained covert.
English Exiles on the Continent:
During the years of persecution, English convents and seminaries were established on the continent. Here, Catholics were able to make and use elaborate vestments without fear of punishment, enabling them to experience the grandeur of Counter Reformation art and liturgy.
Royal/ Jacobite Connections:
Members of English and Scottish royalty committed to the Catholic faith enjoyed greater freedom to engage with the decorative liturgical material of the Counter-Reformation than those of lower social classes.
