• Welcome! - Welcome to the new home of the 12th Century Clothing archive and forum. With the closing of the Yahoo Groups that used to host this information, we are moving it here to its new permanent home. For the time being, the archived information will be the focus of the project; however, we will have the ability to use this as a new working forum (outside of the FB platform) as well. Visit often or subscribe to keep abreast of the newly posted information in this treasure trove of 12th-century research. Enjoy! …
  • Theories & Image Analysis - This page will catalog various discussions regarding how to interpret images of clothing from the 12th century, and how that might be made and/or worn.   However, it should be noted that in the beginning, Yahoo Groups gave rather limited space for non-message content like photos and files.  That means that the list owner, moderators, and users tended to remove previously posted items in order to make room for new materials.  But, the discussions in the archive still contain the links, often referring pictures that are not there.  I will try to find the images if I can, but in… …
  • Victorian Costumers - (A compendium of discussions on the 12th Century Garb Yahoo Group list.  Much of the early research into 12th costuming came from 19th art historians.  Unfortunately, their re-drawings tend to me romanticized.) Victorian medieval illustrations (Strutt) "I realize he is not the ultimate authority, but can be useful as a "jumping off" point.http://www.dragonbear.com/images/str039.jpg "Women of the 12th Century" Joseph R. Strutt "What's up with the reddish sleeve things? Just contrast cuffs sewn onto the middle of the sleeve, or the tight undersleeve of a matching kirtle underneath and the contrast cuff is at the end of the sleeve? http://www.dragonbear.com/images/str089.jpg"Supposedly 14th c and a little… …
  • Images for Discussion - "I've just uploaded some of my favorite 12th century clothing illustrations to the site. All from period sources. [Editor:  Need to check if there are still there. - EMK] Christ's Ministry.See the hose on the guy standing behind Christ in the first panel and the baggy braies on the wild man in the middle panel. Comedies of Terence.Look at the interesting round neck treatments, and the particularly short tunic on the guy in the middle. Note the odd crumple of the fabric on his hip. See that same thing on several of the other figures. Keep looking for these in… …
  • On the Wayback Machine - (A compendium of broken links from discussions on the 12th Century Garb Yahoo Group list that might be worth looking into at some point.) 1.  "My garb webpage is far from complete but if anyone is curious,http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wittie/sca/see garb and pictures-Aibell"~ Message #45, June 4, 2002 2.  "If you really want to get into it [re: medieval drafts for weaving], try this website:http://www.angelfire.com/il/faena/medieval.html Of course, they have just enough information on their website to be interesting. You have join to get to the good stuff.Ealasaid~  Message #58, June 5th 2002 3. Twelfth and Thirteenth Century Clothing"Thanks to Gennevote for giving me… …
  • First Knight (1995) - First Knight (1995)Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia OrmondDirector:  Jerry Zucker "Did the pleated gown of Guenivere in First Knight have the remotest resemblance to a bliaut? Whether it did or didn't, it was lovely! "~ Gwen / Jennifer Hill "My comment on the clothing pieces in First Knight was that they were designed by the same person that did the Romulans in the old Star Trek TV series. 🙂 My vote for best movie bliauts are the ones worn by Glenn Close in Hamlet (the Mel Gibson version). Istill drool sometimes when I watch it."~ Katherine BarichMessage #128, August 20,… …
  • Hamlet (1990) - Hamlet (1990)Mel Gibson, Glenn CloseDirector: Franco Zeffirelli "Finally found Mel & Glenn at Blockbuster & fell in love w/ the gowns.  & wasn't Mel wearing a KNITTED sweater w/ leather mid-section?  It sure looked like some sort of arming sweater.  But, it could have been sprang, which seems more likely for the time period."~ Gwen verch Rhys / Jennifer HillMessage #163, August 27, 2002 Hamlet (1990) "I thought Mel's outfits out of sync (yeah, anachronistic) to the other characters. Really, I thought that only the king and queen looked consistently 12th century. I'll have to watch it again to chart… …
  • Lettering/Script/Font - [re:  participating in a medieval fair] Soapmakers were in a Guild, so I thought I'd have a sign that says "Soap Guild" or something similar to decorate the stand and explain what I am doing/who I am. Do you know what style of lettering would be appropriate? There are quite a few types of medieval calligraphy styles. they are explained (with pages of how to write them) in: "Medieval Calligraphy: its history and technique" Marc Drogin, 1989, isbn 0486261425 My dodgy memory says it goes something like this: (but don't trust the order) Roman scripts Carolingian (8-9C) Uncial and also… …
  • Lion in Winter - This should make for an interesting re-make: [dead link apparently to a new article about the Hallmark Lion in Winter movie] ~ William fitzHughe de Cambria Message #740, January 21, 2003 HOT DOG! Patrick Stewart as Henry II - it will be interesting to see if he can be enough of a hot head, but did a good job in Lady Jane Grey. Glenn Close really pulled off 12th century garb well in Hamlet too. Exciting... ~ Katrine / Katherine Barich Message #741, January 21, 2003 …
  • Other garments in “The Accolade” painting - Other than the chainmail coif and mantle, my favorite garment in "Accolade" is the tunic the boy is wearing. Also the one Charleton Heston wore in "Warlord." Would those be OK for 1140 in England? Also, if you are wearing a nice dress (something that would look good at court) how do you wear a dagger? I feel naked without some steel, but it seems to clash with the dresses my friends have been making me lately. ~ Alexandra Message #757, January 24, 2003 While we ladies drool over the lovely white dress, my husband likes the look of the… …