EARLY MEDIEVAL

Note - not dollshouse size

My version of the history of costume begins in 55BC, the year of Julius Caesar's first visit to Britain, which of course is not Medieval at all, but in costume terms belongs in this group where the basic item of clothing for both men and women was the T-shaped tunic.

 Celts at the time of the Roman Conquest 55BC

The Chieftainess wears a plaid tunic and woollen cloak.    

The male Briton of Rank wears fur for warmth and braies (trousers) beneath his tunic.  

Both are armed to the teeth because when they weren't fighting off Romans, they were busy fighting amongst themselves.

Anglo-Saxons in 1066, the time of the Norman Conquest

The Lady wears a layered ensemble. The shorter over-tunic has wide sleeves and fine embroidered borders.    

The Nobleman also has embroidery on his short tunic and a cloak over one shoulder.  

Anglo Saxon women were famous for their skill at embroidery. 

 

1150 in the Reign of King Stephen

The Lady has sleeves so wide they sometimes had to be knotted up out of the way to save her falling over them and her long plaits of hair could be partly false. So you see, 'Extensions' are nothing new.  

The Gentleman has adopted the layered look previously worn by ladies.     

 

1190.jpg (44587 bytes)

 1190 in the reign of Richard I

The Lady wears silk for the first time in Britain - brought back home by the crusading knights. Her headdress is the start of many fantastic styles seen throughout the middle ages.     

The Gentleman has a tunic that is split at front and back to allow him to get on his horse.  

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