Wonderful folds of material at the back of his clothing- it's a lovely image- thankyou!

Is it a rope? Very thick and rigid-looking- might it be a pole, pushing rather than pulling? (Just a thought, only idly gazing at it and wondering)

Ah, so what I was told is correct? Thankyou!
I'm a total unbeliever, just nothing there, but I find it helpful to look for unbeliever ways of trying to be a decent person, iyswim. I like the idea that there are times when one tries harder to be decent.
Any suggestions for finding out more?

I once was told that Advent used to be a time for reflection, like Lent used to be, checking whether one is as good a person as is possible, looking for petty meanness or greed or sloth, to try to become a better person... centuries ago, I believe...
I like that idea... with or without singing :)

Sorry, typo- she works as Gemmeus.

Genmeus, the historical jeweller, has just created an exquisite hand-made replica of the Alfred jewel...

I can't answer for your history teacher but over the years, when I found a letter-form I really liked I adopted it into my own handwriting... so maybe it's just something that tends to happen to people who read old manuscripts?