Re: 'tent' research

[Dave Key]

The construction appears very similar
to the covering on some illustrations in French Mss for carriages being
used by ladies (Can't find the pic at the moment but did find a similar
construction with a rich cloth being used as the cover on an illustration
of a covering for a boat carrying Richard II ... http://www.bnf.fr/enluminures/images/jpeg/i4_0011.jpg
  ). In the accounts for Richard III's Coronation there are references
to waxed canvas to cover, probably, similar carriages. They make complete
sense as a light and transportable temporary 'shop' for the European Fairs.
A more rigid, but still cloth over frame, comparison is the 'dining tent'
in Schilling.

Worth noting that at least one of the
these temporary constructions is an ale-house (note the 'bush' hanging
at the door to indicate a fresh brew).

Cheers
Dave