Byzantine-Islamic-Norman Silks in Archbishop’s Grave in Denmark

The most valuable silk textiles in Denmark from the Middle Ages are those found in the grave of Archbishop Absalon
of Lund (1178-1201) in Sorø Monastery Church in Denmark, the site of royal burials in the 12th to 14th Century. Three silk fragments are known, belonging to different types of vestments. One samite silk fragment, with a border in a broken lozenge twill, is from Bishop Absalon’s dalmatic. A piece of silk samite with circles in a pattern belongs to the chasuble. The most interesting piece is of silk with a tapestry weave depicting birds and lions, on a samite weave. It most likely was part of the alb. This Absalon silk, with a combination of weaves belonging to an Islamic-Byzantine- Norman tradition, is similar to the lining from an alb created in the royal court workshop of Palermo in the year 1181, later taken over by the Staufen, Luxemburg and Habsburg emperors for use at imperial coronations, and now in Vienna.