Silk: From the Myths & Legends to the Middle Ages

The story of silk is far too exciting not to share. From the earliest days of prehistory, silk has been highly valued, sought after, fought and lusted over. Silk is rarely the title of a book, yet it is part of history, travel, textiles, design, art, social history, women’s affairs, royal pursuits, the crusades, fashion and modern global science, business and economics.

In this book the secrets are gradually revealed, stories of mayhem and espionage, love and valour, corruption and beauty. The Silk Road, and the stories of Marco Polo’s Travels and the eventual arrival of silk in Europe, has a magic all of its own. Silk was never more beautiful than when it was used in the finest of all embroidery, known as Opus Anglicanum. Silk is a practical product and comes in many forms and so the story of silk includes spinning and handling this exquisite fibre.

Silk: From the Myths & Legends to the Middle Ages is the first of three volumes exploring the wonderful world of silk. Other volumes in the series are The Secrets of Silk: From Textiles to Fashion and The World Silk.

About the Author

During the seventeen years that Priscilla Lowry was in the UK, she was the director of the Schuster Gallery in London, attained her MA in Medieval History from London University and for ten years was a fulltime lecturer in all aspects of the history of silk, art and medieval history. Since her return to New Zealand she has continued to lecture, both at the University and for the Guilds and other societies, to travel, write, prepare for her current exhibition of work, select for National Exhibitions, and spend time with her family and friends at the beach.