Northampton Museums present Shoe of the Month for May

EUROPE DAY MAY 9th

You may have come across a reference in a diary or elsewhere to the fact that 9 May is 'Europe Day' and perhaps asked about its significance.

Probably very few people in Europe know that on 9 May 1950 the first move was made towards the creation of what is now known as the European Union. Every country, which democratically chooses to accede to the European Union endorses its fundamental values of peace and solidarity.

This exhibition boot (exhibition boots were made simply to show off a shoemaker's skills, they were never intended to be worn) dates from 1901 to 1902. They were made to celebrate the accession of Princess Alexandra of Denmark to the English thrown as King Edward VII's wife, a European union in itself.

The boot is made of small semi-circles of kid leather sewn into the various shapes of the flags, highlighted in gold and embroidered with words 'Alla Regina Alessandra'.

The boot features lots of European flags, how many can you spot?