Headgear

(A compendium of information from discussions on the 12th Century Garb Yahoo Group list)

“Compulsory” for Women

“Right though this period wearing of head gear by women is pretty much compulsory, (only children and harlots do not)During some decades the head gear gets rather skimpy and and becomes little more than some scarves hanging from a circlet. But indoors or out some sort of head wear is a must. Wide brimmed straw sun hats are period for outdoors as well.”
~ Rowena / Brenda Sibly
Message #343, November 15, 2002

“I’d have to agree that the most common pictures I’ve seen of women with no head covering are indeed children or biblical figures being portrayed as harlots, however there are a few pictures where I think the the young unmarried woman (or maybe you’re a child until you marry?) might be allowed at least indoors with no head covering. I’ll have to examine them more closely. Certainly highly proper and respectable figures like Mother Mary always wear veils or head coverings of some sort, while the more exotic fashions are worn by other young females.
~ Teffania / Tiffany Brown
Message #344, November 17, 2002
Straw Hats

“Do you have any evidence of what 12th century straw hats look like. I happily wear a straw hat, and since I like my skin unburnt (the joys of ozone layer depletion) will continue to do so, but I’ve only seen later period pictures of straw hats from a distance. If you have anything closer to our period or more detailed, please share <beg, beg>”
~ Teffania / Tiffany Brown
Message #344, November 17, 2002

“The only one I know of for sure is a 13th century illustration to William of Tyres History, showing King Fulk and Queen Melisande riding (as he falls from his horse and dies). Melisande is wearing a hat , flatish on top with a wide brim which looks like it might be straw.  However the Rule of the Templars states from an early date that the Knights are required to own a wide brimmed straw hat.”

~ Rowena /Brenda Sibly
Message #348, November 17, 2002

Veils

“I have done a lot of research on veils for our period and for 11th c and 13th c. as well.
There might be some examples up on my web page off the one listed below- go to Aenor’s home page.

“As far as wearing a veil went, pretty much you didn’t have to wear one if you were unmarried.  At least through the 13th c this seems to be the norm.  There is a fabulous plate in the Majewousky bible ( however you spell that) from 1250 that shows a line of women with loose hair going into a building.  Below it, the women come out of the building married, wearing 4 or 5 different styles of veils .

“Some styles:
“11th and 12th c you get the open face hole veils (still working on the design for this- can’t get mine to drape just right- they have a crease at either side of head as if pinned to a foundation there, but the way the folds fall over forehead eludes me as of yet. You also have large 1/2 circles, which I have just realized is what at least one of the Winchester Bible pics is showing, with a knot at the side of shoulder.  And Barbettes near end of period, start of 13 c. You see a really good example on the Eleanor of Aquitaine effigy at Fontevrault. ( carved in 13c._)”
~ Aénor d’Anjou / Kirsten Wienand Vaughan
Message #357, November 18, 2002