The clothing I make and wear as a Medieval re-enactor is, for many modern viewers, the most obvious difference between these two cultures seperated as they are by seven and a half centuries. Many suppose that as it's so different to modern clothing it can be neither comfortable nor practical. Well, it's time for the truth! The clothing works - we probably shouldn't be suprised that it does - and, as Dedicated Practical Experimental Archaeologists (who incidentally enjoy nothing more than feasting and fighting in the woods) at the end of an event or a weekend it is always a slight shock to return to the constrictions presented by my modern clothes.
Obviously all our work depends on reliable, datable, evidence from a range of trustworthy sources. One extremely valuable source (the well-known Macieowski Bible) details in plate after plate a huge variety of items related to both contemporary military campaigning and home life. The quality of this work has led - over the last few years - to some members of Circa:1265 recreating clothing and items from this Bible's crisp and outstanding illustrations.
These webpages are a brief overview to standard male clothing worn by all members of society and specifically to the extra layers and armour worn by the most well-off knights of the middle of the 13th century. Armour is evolving rapidly throughout this period and some information has been included regarding the direction that this evolution is taking.
Drawings have been used to keep the image file sizes low, and to help illustrate the points involved. Photos may be available for the strong-stomached one day soon.
Clothing and Armour