The Renaissance gave a great impetus to gilded leathers, the manufacture of which was still flourishing at Cordova and increasing in the Netherlands. It would seem that workmen emigrated from Spain to other countries. Tomaso Gazoni in his _Piazza universale_ (1560) writes regarding gilded leather: “Some people think that the origin of this noble work is due to Spain, because from that country come the best masters of modern times who have obtained the greatest renown in this kind of work.” A native of Cordova, Ambrosio Morales, writing in 1575, says: “This manufacture brings much wealth to the town, and also gives a fine appearance to its principal streets. In truth, when these stamped, painted and gilded leathers are spread out on large tables to dry in the sun they make a beautiful sight, for the streets are adorned with the greatest splendour and variety.” The inventories of the period show us how important was the use of leather. Margaret of Austria has at Mechlin in 1527 several pieces of “_tapisserie de marroquin_,” as we have noted. The gilded leather was often called _or bazané_ and regarded as a mark of opulence. For instance, Pierre Binard, a tapestry-worker and author of a collection of _Noëls_, dedicated to Marguerite, wife of Henri IV, says in one of his verses: Au moins est-elle bien coëffée De fins rézeaux? Et sa couche est-elle estoffée De beaux rideaux? Son ciel n’est-il pas de brodeure Tout campané? N’a-t-il pas aussi pour bordeure L’or bazané? The nobles vied with royalty in luxury, and the beautiful tapestries, furniture, gold and silver work, enamels, etc., found ready sale. Such magnificent homes as the Counts of Egmont excited the anger of the populace; and those of many successful artists and rich merchants were hardly inferior. The clergy did not suffer either. Granvelle, for example, made Bishop of Arras, and chief adviser to Philip II in all the affairs of the Netherlands, had a magnificent establishment. His furniture, tapestry and other personalty amounted to no less than £50,000. Contemporary travellers are constantly speaking of the startling splendours they encountered in the Low Countries. When Marguerite of Valois, Queen of Navarre, who was certainly used to splendour, went to Spa in 1577, with the excuse to drink the waters, but really to intrigue in Hainault so as to advance the interests of her brother, the Duke d’Alençon, in the Netherlands, she was received at Namur by Don Juan of Austria. When this gallant escort, who rode by her litter, escorted the Queen to her lodgings, she was “astonished at the magnificence of the apartments.”[3] A superb hall gorgeously furnished led into a series of chambers. The bedroom and bed prepared for the Queen were hung with superb tapestries, which, appropriately enough, represented the Battle of Lepanto.