Stockings worn by Nelson (1758-1805) at the Battle of Trafalgar. The stockings are finely knittted using white thread that is a cotton/wool blend. At the top, where they would be secured with a garter, on both sides of each stocking is the numeral 'II' below an 'N', underneath a coronet. These laundry marks have been worked in cross stitch using blue thread. The toes, sole and heel of the stockings have been knitted using a slightly heavier gauge of wool that is also slightly darker in colour. This would serve to both re-inforce areas that received heavy wear and provide added warmth. The stockings are heavily blood stained, the blood is probably that of Nelson's secretary, Scott, killed earlier in the action.