With my discussions about weaving, I felt I should offer some resources for anyone interested in Medieval textiles. I had mentioned some time ago about the Complex Weavers orgnization. They regularly published a newsletter which contained research related to Medieval textiles. An example of the type of information contained in these newsletters follows:
“Purpurae
By Nancy M. McKenna
Silks have always been luxury items. In Ælfric’s
Colloquy1 silks appear in the same context as gold
and gems. And yet persons of means used large
numbers of silk items. In c. 686 Aldhelm commented
upon the vogue for silk sleeves used by both men and
women. And when they could be afforded, silks were
also lavished upon bishops, abbots and the churches
under their patronage. Silks were used to adorn walls,
tombs and altars.
Although silk was highly prized, there was one fabric
that held still more esteem: purpura.
Purpura was clearly associated with the distinctive
and costly. For instance, because a cope given by St
Æthelwold was of purpura it was deemed appropriate
that it should be edged with gold. Purpura was also
referenced in medieval poetry ranging from Guillaume
d’Orange to Perceval.” Issue 31 March 2002
This is just a glimpse of the types of information available in these newsletters. Recreationists, authors, museum curators . . . anyone interested in the clothing people wore in Medieval days and the fabrics used to make clothing. Their archives are available at “Medieval Textiles“. The newsletters are from 1999 through 2003. Much more is available on their site – just do some digging and see what you find!!!
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