Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 84, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1909 — The “Doyley." [ARTICLE]

The “Doyley."

Some words have very Interesting life histories, and the quaint dert? vatlon of the word doyley Is as interesting as any. For it we have to g< as far back as the time of William the Conqueror. Among his followers from Normandy was a certain Robert D’Oyley, who received valuable lands upon a curious condition. Every year, on the feast of St. Michael and All Angels, he "was to make tender of a linen tablecloth worth three English shillings. As they were for royal use, the ladies of the D'Oyley family took great pride In making these "quit rent clothß,’’ as they were called, beautiful with the known methods oi stitching. They were used only on state occasions in the royal household, and In time the term "D’Oyley Vinen” was applied them. Gradually it has filtered down to use as “D’Oyiey,” more often "doyley," and Its pecular signification remains, bpwsver, a napkin or linen cloth made beautiful by needlework.