School Resources
About these learning resources
Format: Video
These resources are designed to support Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 students learn about the role of fashion in the Royal Court and what Historical Fashion can teach us about the past.
Discover historical sources, stories and classroom activities such as:
- Explore the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection
- Video: What did Elizabeth I wear?
- Video: What is it like to work in Historical Fashion?
- Mantua Fact Sheet
- Image Bank
- Background notes and articles.
Resource Information
Back to learning resourcesKey Stage
- KS3 (age 11-14)
- KS4 (age 15-16)
- KS5 (age 16+)
Subjects
- History
- Art & Design
- History of Art
Topic
- 20th & 21st Century
- Elizabethans
- Tudors
- Victorians
- Stuarts
Type
- Lesson ideas
- Biographies & Fact sheets
- Historic sources
- Images
Palace
- Tower of London
Explore the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection
Explore the collection
Through cutting-edge technology, nearly 200 specially selected garments, related items and design sketches are available for you to explore online.
What did Elizabeth I wear?
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Manage CookiesFind out all about the symbolism and history of Queen Elizabeth I's costume depicted in her famous Rainbow Portrait.
Then quiz yourself with these questions about Elizabeth I's clothing.
- What is the Rainbow Portrait meant to show about Queen Elizabeth I?
- What was the purpose of the ‘bum roll’ or ‘bum pad’ worn under Elizabethan dresses?
- What did the snake on Queen Elizabeth’s sleeve represent?
- How many ruffs are included in Queen Elizabeth’s I Rainbow Portrait?
- Why are there eyes and ears painted on the orange taffeta mantle?
- What do the wings symbolise for Queen Elizabeth I?
- The portrait shows that she is vibrant, youthful, goddess-like, other worldly and totally in control.
- The ‘bum pad’ is designed to hold some of the weight of the skirts and hold them up and out to create a fashionable silhouette. The bum pad also keeps the skirts away from your legs and provides a place to rest your arms.
- The snake of her sleeve represents knowledge, intelligence and the heart shaped jewel in it’s mouth represents mercy.
- There are five ruffs in total – two at the wrists, a standing ruff, a small chokeer ruff and a neckline ruff.
- The eyes and ears painted on the orange taffeta mantel show that Elizabeth I is omnipresent - she sees and hears everything.
- The wings in this painting symbolise Elizabeth’s heavenly knowledge and divine power – she believed she ruled England because God had put her there.
Working in Historical Fashion
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Manage CookiesDr Sally Tuckett, Lecturer in Dress and Textile Histories, University of Glasgow describes her interest in Historic Fashion.
- Why study Historic Fashion?
- What can Historical Fashion teach us?
- Why is Kensington Palace important to the story of royal fashion?
Mantua Fact Sheet
This fact sheet tells you everything you need to know about the Mantua.
Image Bank
A selection of images from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection and other sources. These images can be saved individually or the set can be downloaded as a PowerPoint file.
The Rockingham Mantua is a perfect example of court dress, showcasing wealth and status.
This richly embroidered 18th-century court suit, made entirely by hand, showcases the extravagant and colourful fashion worn by wealthy men at royal court.
This Japanese court suit, taireifuku, is made from a dark woollen cloth with a white silk lining.
Queen Victoria wore black mourning clothes from Prince Albert’s death in 1861 until her own, reflecting her deep grief and shaping a distinct, recognisable public image.
Uniforms are both practical items and a way to create a sense of belonging, convey status and identity within an official workplace.
This silk evening gown with beaded embroidery was worn by Diana, Princess of Wales during a 1986 state visit to Saudi Arabia, designed with long sleeves and a high neckline to respect local customs.
This debutante dress was worn by Georgina Grattan-Bellew during the 1958 season the final year debutantes were presented at court.
Image Bank PowerPoint
A PowerPoint file containing the images. Please see the 'Notes' on each slide for background information.
Background information and deeper study
Resources to support advance students with deeper study or to provide background information to teachers.
More highlights from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection
Take a look behind the scenes of Historic Royal Palace's Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. In this series our experts explore and uncover highlights from this hugely significant collection of historical clothing and ceremonial costume.
Watch nowHear from the experts
In this 55 minute podcast Caterina Berni speaks to Curator Matthew Story and bespoke period tailor Zack Pinsent of Pinsent Tailoring; to explore the Dress Codes we follow every single day.
Listen nowA 1920s Wedding
Learn more about a special, gold, 1920s wedding dress worn by the Hon. Ursula Mary Lawley in 1927 in this Blog post including video footage of the day.
Read moreEmbracing Two Worlds
Textile Conservator Kaori Motaung shares her experience of conserving an extremely rare Japanese court suit. Dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, the suit is a remarkable blend of both Japanese and Western styles.
Read more
Download an editable Georgian to Victorian Family Tree for Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. Use key facts, activities and historic sources to explore the Kings and Queens from George I to Victoria.
Download an editable Stuart Kings and Queens Family Tree for Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. Use key facts, activities and historic sources to explore the monarchs that reigned through the Restoration and Glorious Revolution.
A simple guide to support your school visit to the Dress Codes exhibition at Kensington Palace.