Are Gambesons Period for the 12th Century?

(original subject line:  A Question on Closures)

I did find one interesting tidbit last week – from Moriz von Craûn dated late 12th/early 13th century –

dô zôch er über sîn wamsel
den harnas man schînen sach

which I need to play with further, but I think I make out that he is wearing his harness over his ‘wamsel’. The word wams becomes the renaissance word for doublet in Germany.

I also have a dictionary of medieval German costume terms on order on ILL (trying to get it from Germany so no promises). This might turn up further information.

~ Katrine / Katherine Barich
Message #794, February 11, 2003