Early Byzantine textiles have survived almost exclusively in the hot and dry climate of Egypt, where the dead were buried in their clothing in furnished graves. Detailed studies of the collections in Germany continue to be published.
Category: Medieval Cultural History
Churning Butter with the Devil
Milking and churning butter was a competence belonging to the medieval female sphere. This led to a special misogynic motif: the devil’s milkmaid.
Atlas of Garments from Late Antiquity
Pictorial Atlas presents a lexicographic overview of all sorts of garments from Late Antiquity through art, archaeological pieces and drawings
Textiles in Late Antiquity
In Late Antiquity, textiles played a significant role in both public and private life – economically, politically and cultural.
Smelting Iron the Viking Way
Smelting Iron the Viking way is a remarkable simple process. It only takes some charcoal, some bog iron ore, roasted and crushed, plus a simple clay oven.
Domrémy – the Birth Place of Joan of Arc
The place to go to ponder the life and death of Joan of Arc is the humble village near the river Meuse, where she was born
Medieval Bog Butter
RECIPE: Make your own medieval butter and preserve it in an Irish Bog. Brian Kaller tells us how wrap it up and dig it unter
Late Medieval Cog from Kampen
Late Medieval Cog raised from the river Ijssel near Kampen in Holland
Pleated Dresses and Wide Gowns
In the 15th century it became fashionable to parade the pregnant body. A special type of garment was developed: The wide Gown. In Nürnberg a unique example has been preserved
For the apparel oft proclaims the man…
How come nudity played such an important role in the visualization of Renaissance man and woman? One reason was, it could be used to counterbalance the dressing up of people in the 16th century
Austrian Master Tailors from the 16th century
Manuscripts containing Tailors' patterns from the 16th century may not be that rare as they were used to help apprentices to pass their exams and become master tailors. However, they are often overlooked in libraries. Now three have been transcribed and fully edited.
Rodenegg Castle
In Southern Tyrol lies the 12th century Rodenegg Castle, with some famous frescos illustrating the story of the knight of Iwein
Chrétien de Troyes
Chrétien de Troyes was initiator of the medieval Romance genre. By focusing on the legends of Arthur, he placed them in the centre of medieval courtly culture.
Last Stand on Vellum
For a thousand years Britain’s laws have been recorded on vellum. Earlier this week the plan was revealed to abolish the practice. However, James Grey, a conservative MP is planning to call for a back-bench debate creating a stand-off between the Commons and the House of Lords.
Schembartlauf in Nürnberg
The Schembartlauf is Nürnberg’s version of Mardi Gras and Carnevale. It features cow masks because the festival originated among the butchers
The Birkebeiners in 1205
During Christmas 1205 a group of brave Norwegians set out on a perilous journey in order to bring the heir to the Norwegian throne to safety in Trondheim. Fifty years later the story was told by the king's chronicler, forever turning the feat of the Birkebeiners into a national myth