Wednesday 18th August 2004

Cheney Court, in the precincts of Winchester Cathedral

A reconstruction of Mary Tudor's wedding gown

Fit for a Queen.......To Winchester this afternoon, where Alec and I dodged the showers and storms of this most inclement August. Firstly to trawl around the charity (thrift) shops and secondhand book shops, then a delicious lunch in our favourite hostelry, The Wykeham Arms, near to Winchester College.
After lunch, we visited a special exhibition of wedding costume, being held in Winchester this summer to commemorate the marriage, in Winchester Cathedral, 450 years ago in 1554, of Mary Tudor, daughter of King Henry VIII to Philip of Spain. The exhibition includes a reconstruction of Queen Mary's wedding gown, and item of magnificence and sumptuousness. It is not an exact copy, since I believe no record of the actual dress exists, but has been created from contemporary sources using the most likely textiles and techniques.
The silk damask underskirt is heavily over embroidered, whist the overdress is made of "cloth of gold" - another heavy damask, this time with regal and heraldic motifs picked out in pure gold thread. The contrast of purple fabric with the creamy white silk was utterly lovely.
The rest of the exhibits were of wedding dresses through the last 300 years, several of which were costumes that have been used in various period TV programmes and films.

Journal prompt. If you are married, what did you wear to your ceremony? If not, write about a memorable wedding you have been to, and a dress that either enchanted or horrified you. Any wedding dress disasters or "happenings" to recall? If you were marrying again today, what would you wear - and how would you do things differently?

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