For Our Royal Person. Master of the Robes Bills of King-Stadholder William III, Paleis Het Loo National Museum, Apeldoorn, 2002, by Pat Wardle, illustrated in colour and black and white, glossary of textile terms, 160 pages
ISBN 90 80 5046 61

This study of William III's Master of the Robes bills was prompted by the acquisition by Het Loo of the 'great parchment warrant' containing the bills for 1700-1701.
Embroidery features rather sporadically, as this was not a great period for embroidered costume, but William did sometimes order embroidered suits and the bills include many references to work connected with the Order of the Garter, as well as mentions of such things as embroidered waiscoats and quilting for use on dressing tables (the bills are not entirely confined to garments).

The king's official embroiderer was William West and the book includes a short account of him gleaned from contemporary documents, including his will, as well as illustrations of the embroidery on William III's first Presence Chamber canopy at Hampton Court, which was executed in West's workshop and is still extant.

King-Stadholder William III, miniature on ivory, 5,5 x 4,6 cm,
c. 1690, unknown artist, The Royal House Archives, The Hague

English, 1700-1720, said to have been worn by Thomas Severne Esq. (1644-1737), Gentleman of the Bedchamber to William III.

William III, by Jacob de Later, mezzotint, 33,8 x 26cm

For further information contact Anne Wanner wanner@datacomm.ch