Our barony is doing a crusade themed event, and I am looking for information and references on the clothing of the Europeans in Outremer/Kingdom of Jerusalem during the 12th century. French language
references are okay, but English is preferred.
~ Margrét Eyverska, / Becky Day
Barony of Marinus, Kingdom of Atlantia
Message #1018, April 15, 2003
Good luck! I’ve been
able to find very little concrete or firsthand evidence on this. The indication
form historians such as Runciman and J. Prawer is that the Franks of The
Crusader Kingdom wore essentially the same styles and fashions as their
European counterparts, except that they had greater access to the fabrics of
the Middle East. I belief there are some existing documents which mention
sumptuary laws which forbade non-Franks from wearing Frankish clothing, but I
have been unable to track the specifics down.
The existing artwork of the Crusaders is often not very clear
on clothing, but does appear to show garments similar to those worn in Europe.
The Melisande Psalter, made at Acre or Jerusalem in about 1150 has women
wearing what look like two piece bliauts on the carved cover, but the clothing
is very unclear on the internal illustrations.
Carved capitals from various Crusader churches are very
similar to those from in France at that time. They show men and women in
bliauts and tunics.
The early rule of the Templars makes detailed mention of the
clothing they were permitted to wear, mostly simple tunics in wool or linen. It
specifies that they are to own a wide brimmed straw hat for protection from the
sun.
I hope that helps a little.
~ Rowena Le Sarjent / Belinda Sibly
Message #1019, April 15, 2003