The Emperor’s Magic Tablecloth

Thanks to the chilly polar vortex, we’ve been using our fireplace a lot lately. While watching the logs slowly burn, I couldn’t help thinking about the medieval emperor Charlemagne and his “magic” tablecloth.

As a powerful ruler, Charlemagne would regularly host banquets. What you need to know about the early Middle Ages is that tablecloths were used not just as a barrier between the food and table, but also as a sort of communal napkin, which is to say that by the end of a meal, they would be filthy. And that is why it was always so impressive when, according to legend, Charlemagne would have the tablecloth removed from the table after a feast and thrown into a fire. The tablecloth would then proceed to not burn and, when the cloth was retrieved from the ashes, it would be completely clean again.

While this might sound like magic, there’s actually a scientific explanation for what’s happening. Charlemagne’s tablecloths were woven from asbestos. Although asbestos is, rightfully, linked in most of our minds to unpleasant illnesses, for centuries it was considered a highly prized mineral in many different cultures. The asbestos could be spun and woven into fabric that would then be heat and fire resistant, making it perfect for table linens that could be easily cleaned.

Michele Marshall’s Silk Diamonds Table Runner.

Believe it or not, Charlemagne wasn’t the only one who used asbestos as a parlor trick. Chinese legend tells of a Han dynasty general who had an asbestos jacket he’d wear to dinner so he could “accidentally” spill wine on it before angrily throwing it into the fire to clean it. In one of his writings, Marco Polo described some Mongolian napkins that could also be thrown into a fire and cleaned without burning.

Of course, we now know that while asbestos is a fascinating mineral, it’s also extremely dangerous and downright deadly when handled improperly. So it’s definitely not going to be featured in an upcoming issue of Easy Weaving with Little Looms. However, if you’re looking for a gorgeous medieval-inspired table runner sure to impress—without throwing it into the fire—check out Jennifer Kwong’s Gothic Glass Runner or Michele Marshall's Silk Diamond's Table Runner, both from the Summer 2024 issue of Little Looms.

Happy Weaving!

Christina