Dictionary

bord Alexander en · NOUN

Etymology

bord + Alexander with a documented usage ranging from 1392–1618.

Meanings

1. (historical, uncountable) An imported striped silk fabric that was highly prized in Western Europe from the late Middle Ages into the 16th century.
   • Other gifts from Thomas Fynch and John Gilliot were altar frontals of striped satin fringed with white, red and green silk and another of russet satin with three shields of white silver 'powdered' with 36 letters of Venetian gold. Dark blue cloth of gold was used for an amice and vestments were made of bord Alexander, 2 red, one striped and another chequered. 2008 May 30, Louise Russell Wheatley, THE MERCERS IN MEDIEVAL YORK 1272/3 to 1529 Social Aspirations and Commercial Enterprise, page 44:
   • The rule for liturgical colours given for Saints' days at Lincoln in the latter half of the 13th century in the days of Bishop Gravesend maybe translated as follows:—For week days bord Alexander; i.e., a textile fabric of various coloured stripes in eastern style. 1898, CHR. WORDSWORTH, M.A., Notes on Medieval Services in England, page 134:

Forms