<<<Medieval times clothes
Early medieval women's clothing consisted of "kirtles",
which were tunics worn to their ankles. These tunics were
often worn over a shirt. When the women were in public,
they often topped the tunics with an even shorter "kirtle."
Of course the more affluent women wore more luxurious
clothing than those of the less affluent lifestyle. Women,
especially those who were married, wore tight-fitting caps
and nets over their hair, which was wound in a "bun" on
their heads. Other women wore veils over their hair, which was left either hanging
loosely, or braided tightly.
<<Medieval times clothes
As with today, clothing styles of medieval men changed
periodically. At the end of the 13th century, the once loose
and flowing tunics became tighter fitting. Besides tunics,
the men also wore undershirts and briefs covered by a
sleeveless jacket and an additional tunic. Stockings
completed the ensemble. Men's medieval clothing also
consisted of cloaks with a round opening that was slipped
over the man's head. Such cloaks were worn over other
clothing as a type of "jacket".
<< Medieval food
Medieval foods and diets depended much on
the class of the individual. For those living in
the manor house, there was a wide range of
foods available. Fowl such as capons, geese,
larks, and chickens were usually available to
the lord and his family. They would also dine
on other meats; beef, bacon, lamb, and those
living close to water may have regularly dined on salmon, herring, eels ands other
fresh water fish. Fish would either be sold fresh or smoked and salted. Wealthy
society could afford large quantities of milled flour and other meals made from
grain. Dairy products such as cheese and butter could be seen on the manor table.
<<Medieval house
Medieval houses had a timber frame. Panels that
did not carry loads were filled with wattle and
daub. Wattle was made by weaving twigs in and
out of uprights. Hazel twigs were the most popular
with Medieval builders. After the wattle had been
made it was daubed with a mixture of clay, straw,
cow dung and mutton fat. When it had dried, a
mixture of lime plaster and cow hair was used to cover the surface and to seal the
cracks.The shaping of stone was difficult and expensive. Stones were therefore used
sparingly. Stones were sometimes placed at the corners of buildings and around
windows and door openings. Bricks were also very costly and in the Middle Ages
they were only used to build houses for the very rich
<<Medieval recreation
The Medieval Recreation Ring is a collective of
organizations, societies, groups and individuals
interested in promoting medieval recreation (not
fantasy nor RPG), on both social and educational
levels, through researching history, development
of personnae of those who might have lived in
that era, re-learning skill and arts that might
otherwise be lost to our modern society, and
participation in real-life events, faires, tournaments, feasts, and the like.
<<Medieval weapons
The period referred to as the Medieval was extremely
violent. The quest for wealth and power was driven by
the violent culture of the European countries. Castles
were built to act as power bases. Lands were subject to
invasion. There was the need for a variety of Medieval
weapons to suit the Knights, foot soldiers and archers of
the Era. This was the period of the Norman conquest
and the battle of Hastings. The fighting in Europe had a brief respite when the
attentions of the Medieval warlords turned their attention to the Holy Land when
their Medieval weapons were used by the Knights Templar, Teutonic Knights and
the Hospitallers to fight in the crusades. Medieval Weaponry was vital to the
religious knights.
<<Medieval religion
Christian religious life in medieval Europe
were centered around the Catholic Church.
Many, many people were involved with the
church in some way. Some boys went to a
monastery and trained as a monk at a very
early age. Girls were allowed to be nuns, the
female equivalent of a monk. The top of a
monks head was shaved in something called a tonsure. A tonsure is like any normal
haircut except there in a single bald spot at the top that was said to represent the
crown of thorns that Jesus wore. Peasants had to give one-tenth of their crop a year
to the church and the rich gave presents and treasures to the church.
Medieval daily life
Daily life in the Middle ages was dictated by
wealth, power and status and the feudal system.
The Feudal System was sustained by the rights
and privileges given to the Upper Classes and in
most cases enacted by laws. Everything was a
source of privilege for the nobles. The high
ranking nobles lived in castles with their
knights, ladies and retinues. Others enjoyed their
daily life on their manors. The peasants,
including serfs, freeman and villeins spent their daily life on a manor or village.