The biographies of sixty-nine Archbishops are contained in the book, but not Parker’s own.  This omission was supplied afterwards by a little satirical tract published in 1574, entitled ’Histriola, a little storye of the actes and life of Matthew, now archbishop of Canterbury.’

But the Archbishop not only had his printing done under his own roof, but also had in his house ‘Paynters ... wryters, and Boke-binders,’ so that it may fairly enough be considered that he bound the splendid copy of his great work which was intended for the Queen’s acceptance, in a specially handsome manner, under his own direct supervision, and in accordance not only with his own taste but also with that of his royal mistress.  The volume is a large one, measuring 10 by 7 inches, and is covered in dark green velvet.  On both sides the design is a rebus on the name of Parker, representing in fact a Park within a high paling.  The palings are represented as if lying flat, and are worked in gold cord with flat strips of silver, on yellow satin applique.  There are gates and other small openings in the continuity of the line of palings.  On the upper cover within the paling is a large rose-bush, bearing a large Tudor rose and two white roses in full bloom, with buds and leaves, some tendrils extending over the palings.  The stalks are of silver twist edged with gold cord, the red flowers are worked with red silk and gold cord, the white ones made up with small strips of flat silver and gold cord.  Detached flowers and tufts of grass grow about the rose-tree; among these are two purple and yellow pansies, Elizabeth’s favourite flowers, and in each corner is a deer, one ‘courant,’ one ‘passant,’ one feeding, and one ‘lodged.’

The design fills the side of the book very fully, and the workmanship is everywhere excellent.  This upper cover is much faded, as it has been for many years exposed to the light in one of the Binding show-cases in the King’s Library at the British Museum.

[Illustration:  22—­The Epistles of St. Paul.  London, 1578. (From a drawing).]

The under side is much fresher, but the design not so elaborate.  There is a similar paling to that on the other side, the ‘Park’ being dotted about with several plants, ferns, and tufts of grass.  Near each corner is a deer, one feeding, one ‘couchant,’ one ‘tripping,’ and one ‘courant,’ and one ‘lodged’ in the centre.  There are also two snakes worked in silver thread with small colour patches in silk.

The back is badly worn, but the original design can be easily traced upon it.  There were five panels, in each of which is a small rose-tree, bearing one large flower, with leaves and buds, and tufts of grass.  The first, third, and fifth of these are white Yorkist roses; the second and third are Tudor roses of white and red.

The Epistles of St. Paul. London, 1578.

If this book of Archbishop Parker’s is one of the most elaborately ornamented embroidered books existing, and perhaps one of the greatest treasures of its kind in the British Museum, the next velvet book to describe is one of the simplest, yet it also is one of the greatest treasures of its kind at the Bodleian Library.