We're here today in The Great Watching Chamber at Hampton Court Palace to take a look at how Queen Elizabeth I is depicted in her famous rainbow portrait costume.
We will never know if the ensemble, as shown in the portrait actually existed, and Queen Elizabeth is unlikely to have sat for the portrait, but the component parts of the costume may have existed.
They may have been owned by Queen Elizabeth, and they may have been part of her everyday dress.
The rainbow portrait is allegorical.
It shows the Queen as a goddess, otherworldly, vibrant, youthful, and totally in control.
As she got older, Queen Elizabeth cultivated a certain image to enforce her power, and this costume does that for her brilliantly.
So, Hilary, you're already wearing your underwear of the period, the first layer, which is the linen shift.
Yes, that's right.
A linen shift would be the only layer worn next to the skin.
So, Hilary, on top of your linen shift, you're also wearing your stays, or a pair of bodies, referred to in the plural, because originally they would be two pieces, two sides, laced together in the middle.
