Casgliadau Arlein

Quilted patchwork bedcover. Made in about 1820 from a range of printed (and some glazed) dress cottons arranged haphazardly in triangles. A printed central octagonal panel contains a portrait of Queen Caroline, consort of King George IV, with the inscription ‘Her Most Gracious Majesty, Caroline Queen of England’. The quilting pattern consists of a central roundel containing a star within a circle and four petalled flowers. Two narrow inner borders feature spirals and triangles. The outer border contains spirals within triangles. The quilting bears no relationship to the patchwork. Plain white cotton tabby backing made up of various pieces. Carded wool filling.

Very little is known of the exact origins of this quilt. According to the donor, it came from Brecon, but the name and occupation of the maker are unknown. Printed commemorative panels were very popular during the early 19th century. They were often used as focal points for pieced frame quilts, allowing the maker to build the quilt outwards until the cover reached the required size. This central panel contains an image of Queen Caroline, who reigned as consort from 29 January 1820 to 7 August 1821.

Queen Caroline gained much public support during her ill-fated marriage to the Prince Regent, later George IV. She was famously refused entry to Westminster Abbey for the coronation service on 19 July 1821. Her husband’s attempt to divorce her captured the public’s imagination, with every sordid detail reported in the popular press. Scandal emerged as a new political and social weapon.