Mystery in the Middle Ages. Clothes






 
 
 1. Read what this text says on Medieval Costume.
  
 
 
 In the early medieval ages there was little difference between the clothes worn by men and women, as both used to wear several layers of garments: the outer layers were loose to allow mobility while the the inner ones served the purpose to give warmth, so they consisted of fitted leggings and vests. On top of all these clothes, people used to wear cloaks and tunics, to protect from cold weather.

However, as time went by, the design of clothes followed fashion.Then, the upper classes used to dress in fine clothes. The wool trade provided fabrics that could be dyed in a variety of colours. The Crusades stimulated contacts with the Middle East and distant Asia, which led to the introduction of exotic materials and styles.

Fashion changed frequently during the Middle Ages:

  
 
 



Women's hats and hairstyles
became very grand.
  
 In the early part of the period, men and women used to wear tunicsof several styles. Sometimes these had sleeves that opened out towards the wrist-jagged sleeves. Women's tunics were often laced at the back and close-fitting.

  
 
 

 
 In the 1300s , women often dressed in contrasting layers with an underdress or slim-fitting gown beneath a surcoat - an overdress cut to show the gown beneath. This surcoat could be trimmed with fur. Men, on the other hand, used to wear leggins and over-tunics.

Later on, men changed from the tunic to the doublet - a close-fitting jacket secured by a belt.

In late medieval times, rich women were very fashion minded. Those who could afford it liked to adorn their dresses with fine jewellery. Hoods and turbans, originally worn for warmth, became mere fashion accessories.

  
 
 
 
This style was worn by men in the 1400s. They used to be made of cloth, leather or velvet.

The longer they were, the more important the man.

  
 
 

 
 
 
 
 On the other hand, poorer people used to make their own clothes in simpler styles, so these, like their tools, were mostly home-made of local materials.

Peasant women spent much of their time spinning wool, which was then woven into cloth and then made into garments. Therefore, poor people's clothes were cheap, rough and woollen.



sheep-skin cloaks were worn in winter to keep out the cold and rain and, while working the land, peasants used to wearclogs to keep their feet out of the mud.

Apart from that, townspeople copied the style of the rich people although they used cheaper fabrics. Besides, the length of the over-tunic showed their status , so poorer people used to wear them to the knee, merchants to the calf, clergy and professional classes to the ankle.

  
 
 

 

 
 
 
 2. Now, look carefully at the pictures and describe what your character usually wears.

  
 
 
 3. Draw your character: Now you know what your character looks like and the clothes he/she wears. Draw his/her picture.

Stick it on a cardboard so that we can use it as a model card afterwards.


  
 
 

 
 Heraldry can be defined as the study concerned with the classification of armorial bearings, the allocation of rights to bear arms, the tracing of genealogies...

It deals with heraldic symbols which the knights from noble families had the right to wear, on their clothes as well as on their shields.

The original "coats of arms" were part of the costume or equipment of the knights. The most common explanation is that a full-armoured knight needed some device as a means of identification. Another explanation is that a decorated shield or coat of arms was a mark of status, a sign that he belonged to the élite.

These designs began in the 12th century and were handed down through families.From the late 13th century, these symbols started to be used also by the knight's wives and daughters, on their seals, as a mark of identity.

  
 
 
 4. Create the coat of arms for the noble family involved in your story.

Remember to draw the symbol on the clothes of your character as well.