Embroidered with Woodbine and Eglantine: Elizabethan Textile Furnishings

Reading the rooms of Elizabethan England

Dr Gillian White explores the colour, texture and symbolism of aristocratic Elizabethan interiors in an illustrated lecture. Surviving textiles reveal designs, techniques and uses, as well as hidden messages and devices woven into their subject matter.

Tapestries, bed hangings, cushion covers, wall hangings and table carpets all feature. Inventories and contemporary paintings help piece together collections that have largely disappeared.

White is a specialist in late-medieval and sixteenth-century art and a former National Trust curator and collections manager at Hardwick Hall. Her doctoral research examined its original furnishings through surviving objects, inventories and accounts; this evening takes the form of a visual lecture.

Doors open at 6.30pm, with free refreshments until 7.10pm and a prompt 7.30pm talk. The meeting normally closes around 9pm; this is an approximate meeting time, not a confirmed lecture finish.

The modern church building, opposite the Shell garage, is accessible and has a hearing induction loop. Parking is available at the front and rear, with reserved Blue Badge spaces at the front; please respect marked private parking near the neighbouring houses.

Members attend free and visitors are asked for a contribution. The organiser has not published an attendee booking process; contact info@theartssocietycorinium.org to confirm attendance arrangements or individual access needs.

Owner review: this Chesterton Lane venue falls outside the Cotswolds National Landscape boundary at its mapped point. The programme and venue pages also disagree on the visitor contribution, so confirm the amount with the organiser.

Owner review: the council's advertised evening window ends at 9.30pm, while the organiser describes a meeting close around 9pm. No exact finish is confirmed.

Free for members; visitor contribution. Confirm attendance arrangements with the organiser.

Wednesday 27 January 2027 · Cirencester Baptist Church, Chesterton Lane, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1YE · Doors 6.30pm; talk 7.30pm; meeting usually closes around 9pm