Medieval Costume in England and France: The 13th, 14th and 15th Centuries

by Mary G. Houston

Book Overview

This carefully researched volume offers lovers of both costume and the medieval period a meticulously researched and accurately detailed study of the clothing of the Middle Ages. Following an illuminating discussion of the style and construction of costumes worn in the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries, noted costume historian Mary G. Houston provides detailed descriptions and illustrations of actual apparel worn by all classes and sectors...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486290603
• ISBN13: 9780486290607
• Release Date: April 1996
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

a must for historical writers or costumers

This book is a wonderful reference book for historical writers, SCA people or costumers. It covers three centuries of England and France during the Middle Ages, and has over 350 illustrations. Describes the styles, patterns for construction of medieval dress for all classes. also, goes into adornments such as jewelry and hairdressing. The book, as well,covers armour and the materials of the period. This is an absolute must for anyone wanting to know what they wore, what it was made of, and the various evolving of styles.

Very useful for medieval recreationists

It's a cheap book, but a USEFUL book. I focus on medieval costuming, and this was a good primer for me. Granted, for more detail you should refer to more focused books and primary/secondary resources... I've had this book for a couple of years now, and I still refer to it periodically when deciding on a new headress or dress to re-create.

Truly useful

As this book focuses on only 3 centuries it can be quite detailed. The patterns could be more detailed but are a great starting point. The sections on religious garb is unusual and a great help as are the sections on fabric patterns from surving garments and fragments. A great book to have.

Excellent reference; a "must-have" for costumers!

Don't let the tiny price fool you! This slim volume is worth its weight in gold for anyone seeking to study and/or replicate period costume. Clothing for the common folk, royalty and the clergy are meticulously examined and discussed. The only lack is any discussion of undergarments, the book focusing only on tunics, surcoats, cloaks, shoes and head coverings. We are left to wonder what sort of leggings, stockings, drawers, petticoats, corsets or chemises they might have worn.It is easy to follow the development of line and cut through the centuries. Many detailed line drawings, along with some coloured plates give a good indication of details of construction and trim. It is easy to create patterns of any size from these drawings. Many drawings of the effigies of deceased monarchs and their consorts give an especially typical illustration of their favoured clothing. We can assume that the folk of their period followed their royalty's tastes during the reign and for some time afterward.There is a very good section on embroideried trims and fabrics, and some treatment of jewelry as well. The head coverings for women are especially well covered. Armor and chain mail, and some weaponry are well discussed and illustrated.A particularly interesting point is that the reigns of the monarchs of England, France and Germany are presented in table form for each century, complete w/ dates. Having this information compiled in this fashion is invaluable when one needs to be very accurate in construction of period garb, and may have not much more to go on than the name of the monarch of the time.

A Fount of Information!

This is a great book for anyone interested in the clothing of this period. It's an easy read, and there's lots of patterns printed, in addition to pictures of people wearing the fashions. It allows you to see clearly the progression of fashion from 1200 to 1500.