Elizabeth of York worked much at her needle. In the account of her household, preserved in the Public Record Office, every page of which is signed by Queen Elizabeth herself, we find—
"To Evan Petreson joiner, for the stuff and making of 4 working stools for the Queen; price of the stool 16 pence—5s. 4d.
"To Thomas Fissch, for an elne of linen cloth for a samplar for the queen, 8d."
In the Inventory 4 Edward VI., 1552 (Harl. MSS. No. 1419), are entries of—
"Item, XII. samplars" (p. 419).
"Item, one samplar of Normandie canvas, wrought with green and black silk" (p. 524).
"A book of parchment containing diverses patternes" (p. 474), probably purchases for his sisters.
See, for instance, the interesting account of the Countess of Oxford, given by Miss Strickland in her Life of Queen Elizabeth of York.