Although this wonderful collection has been added to by successive Spanish sovereigns over a period of six centuries, no effort was made to arrange, classify, or catalogue the fabrics until the work was put in hand at the instigation of Alfonso XII., and carried to completion by the late Queen Isabella. In 1903 an album of photographic reproductions of many of the finest specimens was published with historical and descriptive notes by Count Valencia de Don Juan, and this remained the only volume on the subject until 1914, when I prepared an illustrated handbook of the Tunis Series which, by gracious permission of King Alfonso, were displayed at the Anglo-Spanish Exhibition in London. The present book is the first attempt that has been made to present in English a record of the most valuable and interesting examples in the Royal Collection. ALBERT. F. CALVERT. “ROYSTON,” ETON AVENUE, LONDON. CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. HISTORY OF THE ART OF TAPESTRY WEAVING 1 II. THE FOUNDATION OF THE SPANISH ROYAL COLLECTION 14 III. THE GOTHIC TAPESTRIES--SACRED PIECES 18 IV. TAPESTRIES OF THE GOTHIC-RENAISSANCE TRANSITION 24 V. RENAISSANCE TAPESTRIES 55 ILLUSTRATIONS SUBJECT PLATE THE STORY OF THE VIRGIN. CARTOONS BY VAN EYCK. 1. Jesus with His Mother 1 2. The Virgin praying 2 3. The Adoration of the Magi 3 4. The presentation of Jesus in the Temple 4 THE STORY OF DAVID AND BATHSHEBA. 1. David sees Bathsheba 5 2. Bathsheba consents to the love of David 6 3. Nathan reproaches David with his sin 7 THE STORY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST. 1. Zacharius recovering his speech 8 2. The child John devotes himself to God 9 3. St. John preaching in the wilderness 10 4. The baptism of our Lord 11 THE PASSION OF OUR LORD. CARTOON BY VAN DE WEYDEN. In the garden of Olives 12 The Crucifixion 13 The descent from the Cross 14 VICES AND VIRTUES. 1. God rewards worship 15 2. Virtue punishes vice 16 3. Fortune distributes roses 17 4. God rewards those who are devout 18