A luxurious silk and leather shoe believed to have been worn by King James II is going on display at the Cullerton Estate in Devon, home to the National Trust’s largest collection of historic fashions with more than 22,000 pieces.
This slipper dates back to the late 17th century and is made of fine-grained leather in deep red and golden silk brocade. Leather lines the inner sole and wide block heels. The silk top is decorated with floral patterns woven in blue-green thread. The colors have faded over the centuries, and were originally bright yellows and greens. It was stitched from the bottom with white thread. These open-backed shoes (mules) were usually worn indoors.
Research shows that the chapel was left as a royal gift to King James II during his stay in Coventry. During his visit, he was treated to a banquet at the Guildhall and lodged near what later became Palace Yard, the site of the destruction during the Coventry Blitz.
It was customary for royal guests to leave gifts, often embroidered gloves. In this case a pair of silk slippers would have been given. Only one has come to light to date.
There is no irrefutable evidence of royal descent. The slipper first belonged to costume collector Paul de Busch, who bequeathed his entire collection to the National Trust after his death in 1975. A museum tag from the de Busch collection refers to the date of James II of Coventry, but does not document when or where Pauline de Busch acquired the slipper. The trust is currently researching the chapel’s history, hoping that it was worn by James II.
of this year History away from the hangar The exhibition at Cullerton focuses on pieces included in the newly published National Trust book 100 things to wear. The chapel is one of 10 pieces from Kilerton’s extensive collection that will appear in the book. The exhibition will also give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how Cullerton’s conservators preserve the items in the collection.
