Chapter XXXI: Appendix: Viii., to Page 369

The following poem from the Anglo-Saxon poem of Beowulf shows that the hospitable hall of the Saxon earl was hung with tapestry embroidered with gold.

Fœla pœra was
Much people were
Wera and Wifa pe pat win rued
Men and women who that wine house
Gest sele gyredon gold fag scinon
That guest-hall garnished. Cloths embroidered with gold
Web-after wagum. Wundersiòna feld
Those along the walls many wonderful sights
Sioga gustryleum para pe on swyle stara ♀
To every person of those that gaze on such.

Translation by Thomas Arnold.

The poem of Beowulf is supposed to have been written in the early part of the twelfth century.

The lines which follow are from a poem, recomposed from earlier sagas, in the beginning of the twelfth century. It serves to show that arras was used in bedrooms thus early in Germany.

From the "Niebelungen Lied," übersetzt von Karl Simrock, p. 294.

Manche schmucke Decke von Arras da lag
Aus lichthellem Zeuge und manches Ueberdach
Aus arabischer Seides so gut sie mochte sein,
Darüber lagen leisten du gaben herrlicher Schein.

I owe these notices to the kindness of the Rev. A. O. Winnington Ingram.