"We have nothing more interesting in this genre than the portrait of Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborn, which is found at the top of a famous poem he composed In praise of virginity. The portrait was made at the start of the 8th century: the author is in pontifical robes, giving a benediction with his right hand, and holding a book in his left that represents his work. His white tunic and the sleeves of his purple robe are decorated with embroidered borders." . Handcolored copperplate engraving from Robert von Spalart's "Historical Picture of the Costumes of the Principal People of Antiquity and of the Middle Ages" (1796).