Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/226

 214 HISTORY OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE when the ornamental work for churches had so de- veloped, the ladies proved themselves clever and industrious, not alone in silk embroidery, but in tapestry, as is proved by the quantity of tapestries, bench-coverings, cushions, &c, to be found in the houses of the old families. The old master, Sebald Baumhauer, sacristan at St. Sebald's, whom Albert Diirer described as a good painter, told me that he had got it from reliable sources that in the times past the widows who employed themselves with this work remained all day at St. Sebald's, in the little sacristy at St. Michael's, bringing their food with them.' In the convents embroidered figures for the orna- mentation of the churches were made in great quan- tities, and princesses and noble ladies joined in the work for the honour of God.