Framed embroidered illustration of an astrologer prognosticating the birth of a child to King Charles and his queen, English, 1620-1630

Embroidered on to cloth, an astrologer is shown contacting the spirit world to make a prediction. It is thought that the illustration shows an astrologer predicting the birth of a child in front of Charles I, King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-1649) and his queen, Henrietta Maria (1609–69). Another interpretation is that the astrologer is predicting Charles I’s beheading. Although the label mentions the year 1621, many features do not match this period. This embroidery may be a political joke about the Protestant King Charles I being unduly influenced by his Catholic queen, Henrietta Maria.