The history of church vestments traces back to the early Christian era, evolving from ordinary Roman attire into specialized garments imbued with symbolic meaning. In the first centuries of Christianity, clergy typically wore everyday Roman clothing, but as the church gained prominence, distinct robes began to emerge to signify the sacred role of the clergy. By the 4th century, when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, vestments such as the alb, a long white tunic, and the stole, a narrow band worn around the neck, became more standardized. Over the medieval period, vestments grew increasingly elaborate, incorporating rich fabrics, embroidery, and intricate designs, reflecting both the hierarchical structure of the clergy and the ceremonial importance of the Mass. The Reformation in the 16th century prompted debates over simplicity versus ornamentation, leading some Protestant traditions to adopt more austere clothing while Catholic and Anglican traditions retained elaborate forms. Today, church vestments continue to serve as visual symbols of religious office and liturgical function, preserving centuries of tradition while varying according to denomination, liturgical season, and local custom.
All of the book titles that are included in this DVD are listed as follows:
1. A Directory of Ceremonial (1921)
2. Abridged Illustrated Catalogue of Art Furniture, Hangings and Embroidery Manufactured By Jones & Willis (1889)
3. Catalogue of Vestments, Banners and Regalia (1893)
4. Church Art in Metal, Plaster, Glass, Leather, Embroidery, Wood, Jewelled Plate (1921)
5. Church Embroidery (1911)
6. Church Embroidery, Ancient and Modern (1867)
7. Church Needlework; a Manual of Practical Instruction (1907)
8. Church Ornaments and Their Civil Antecedents (1917)
9. Constitution, Objects, Rules, &c. of the Church Needlework Society of New Brunswick (1864)
10. Costume of Prelates of the Catholic Church, According to Roman Etiquette (1909)
11. Ecclesiastical Vestments Their Development and History (1896)
12. English Embroidery (1905)
13. Historic Dress of the Clergy (1897)
14. Is the Use of the Vestments Under the Ornaments Rubric Part of the Discipline Which the Church Has Received (1883)
15. Needlework in Religion; an Introductory Study of Its Inner Meaning, History, and Development (1923)
16. Textile Fabrics; a Descriptive Catalogue of the Collection of Church-vestments, Dresses, Silk Stuffs, Needle-work and Tapestries, Forming That Section of the Museum (1870)
17. The Dictionary of Needlework, an Encyclop‘dia of Artistic, Plain, and Fancy Needlework, Church Embroidery, Lace, and Ornamental Needlework (1882)
18. The Holy Eastern Church a Popular Outline of Its History, Doctrines, Liturgies, and Vestments (1870)
19. The Mass and Vestments of the Catholic Church, Liturgical, Doctrinal, Historical and Archeological (1916)
20. The Ornaments of the Church and Its Ministers (1908)
21. The Ornaments of the Ministers (1908)
22. The Ornaments of the Ministers (1920)