William III's stockings

This luxurious pair of silk knitted stockings are among the oldest surviving clothes of a British monarch. They are thought to have been worn by King William III, the quality of the fabric, construction and vibrant colour suggest they are high status objects. Incorporated into the narrow cuff at top of each stocking is the initial 'W' and on each side of the ankle is a clock ( motif or decoration at the ankle of a stocking) of a simple flower and crown, strategically positioned to be seen above a shoe.