For centuries tapestries were used as a decorative status symbol at royal courts. They were emblematic of the power and grandeur of the royal house and offered a luxury that few could afford.
Tapestries were a sumptuous demonstration of status and their exorbitant price reflected the skill and materials needed, such as gilt and silk, to make such works of art.
Easily transportable they would be rolled up and taken on procession with the monarch.
Rather than commission new tapestries, William III used Tudor tapestries to decorate the State Bedchamber highlighting the magnificence of those already in the royal estate.
I was told during my visit to Hampton Court Palace that Henry VIII had more than 2,000 in his possession and around fifty have survived. All are owned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Images author’s own
Sources:
Hampton Court Palace
https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/themes/trails/tapestries-in-the-royal-collection
HistorianRuby: An Historian's Miscellany 
the detail that went into these tapestries was amazing, I would love to know how long each of them took and how many worked on each individual one. Lovely piece again about one of my favourite places
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks 🙂
They would take several months, I believe. The warder in the Watching Chamber told me that the tapestry guilds would not allow women, it was only men who were permitted to make tapestries. This didn’t change until late in the nineteenth century (according to him).
LikeLike
Wow!
LikeLiked by 1 person