Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It

by Janina Ramírez

From the seventh to the tenth century, individual women were praised for their stitching skills. Some are now known as saints, including Eadburga and Ethelreda of Ely.24 The type of embroideries they created became known as ‘opus anglicanum’ (English work). These were usually for church vestments – decorative fabrics, woven with silk, gold and jewels – and they were the most desirable luxury goods in Europe. Popes became patrons of these English female artists, and opus anglicanum vestments are listed in Vatican inventories.25 William the Conqueror’s own chronicler, William of Poitiers, went so far as to write: ‘Everyone attests to the great needle-craft of English women in gold embroidery.’