Costume designer Elizabeth Waller created this extraordinary white gown for Glenda Jackson to wear in the title role of the BBC’s Elizabeth R. Waller’s costumes from the production won an Emmy for best costume design, and the gowns went on to be reused in numerous productions.
After being worn by Glenda Jackson, the dress was used for the 1979 adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, where Barbara Kellerman wore it as Anne Boleyn, though decorative braiding seems to have been added to give it a different look. It was not seen again until David Starkey’s 2001 documentary The Six Wives of Henry VIII, where Julia Marsen wore it as Anne Boleyn. The costume made its fourth appearance, very briefly, in 2003’s Henry VIII on an uncredited actress as Lady Bryan, though the gown’s partlet was not used.
In 2004 the dress was worn by Jo Martell as Anne Boleyn in the series Days That Shook the World in the episode Affairs of the Crown: The Execution of Anne Boleyn. Finally, the costume was spotted once more on a 2008 re-issue of a 1953 Margaret Irwin novel entitled Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain.
In 2009 the gown went up for auction at Bonhams, which described the piece as:
An Elizabethan ‘Spanish Farthingale’ style gown, of gold colored brocade, comprising: a gown and sleeves, heavily embroidered with gold thread, the full-length sleeves with ermine type fur to large cuffs, the boned bodice with laced back and v-neck edged with gold braid; a skirt, of corresponding fabric, with roll pads to hips, with matching removable shoulder and collar jacket.
The costume was sold on June 16th, 2009, for US$ 1,192.
What do you think of this gown? Let us know below!
Costume Commentary
I was the first “guest” listed. This is reply to the second “guest”.
Her name has been stated – she was Jo Martell. Excellent actress.
The episode of Days that Shook the World was on Anne Boleyn. I was one of “Anne’s” Ladies. Actually, I was her Aunt “Lady Anne Boleyn”! Though I found that out once it was broadcast.
There is a scene where you see hands lacing up the dress. Those hands are mine!! I am pictured in a red taffeta gown and I was also in a bronze gown (seen from the back and being Jane Seymour). Jo also wore my own wedding gown.
I was the first “guest” listed. This is reply to the second “guest”.
Her name has been stated – she was Jo Martell. Excellent actress.
The episode of Days that Shook the World was on Anne Boleyn. I was one of “Anne’s” Ladies. Actually, I was her Aunt “Lady Anne Boleyn”! Though I found that out once it was broadcast.
There is a scene where you see hands lacing up the dress. Those hands are mine!! I am pictured in a red taffeta gown and I was also in a bronze gown (seen from the back and being Jane Seymour). Jo also wore my own wedding gown.
And how do you know that the sleeve is torn at all? The upper sleeves are very thin because they are supposed to be very fitted. They may perhaps not be torn.
Actually what you are seeing is the fur sleeve hanging from the lining. Somehow the upper seam has torn and the weight of the fur has pulled it almost to the floor. For an auction of theatrical costumes from a name like Bonhams, I would have expected better presentation. How sad that these costumes have come to this. Thank you for tracking them.
Yeah, those sleeves are absolutely massive! Especially if the oversleeves AND undersleeves are used!
Gorgeous gown but can you imagine the weight of those sleeves??