A way for modern civilization to look back at medieval society and see the different levels of feudalism is through clothing since each social class wore different clothing to display their wealth and power.
The pope and king wore the most ornate clothing. The pope wore mainly white clothing decorated with a cross. The king wore very highly decorated clothing too. The clothes consisted of purple silk and gold, a style that only kings could wear. Jewelry was common among royalty and many layers of clothing were worn by the king (Newman, Simon).
Nobles wore many layers of clothing as well. Their clothes were often very colorful with fur made of silk and velvet. Women in a noble's family would usually wear a headdress accompanied with a gown. This gown would have fur in it if the temperature was cold. Noblemen wore simple trousers covered by a long coat called a tunic. Both genders within this class wore jewelry ("The Middle Ages: Nobles"). The following link provides a visual of some types of accessories and noble dress: www.medievalcollectibles.com/c-146-clothing.aspx .
Knights had perhaps the most interesting selection of clothing. When protecting the castle, they wore a suit of armor made of small, interlocked chains called chain mail. Knights carried around accessories like shields, lances, maces, and flails. Shields were used for protection and were decorated with evidence of who the knight was. Lances were long weapons resembling spears. A mace was a stick with a spiked ball attached to the end. A flail was like a mace except for the fact that instead of the spiked ball attached directly to the stick, it was attached to a chain on the stick ("Feudal System").
The pope and king wore the most ornate clothing. The pope wore mainly white clothing decorated with a cross. The king wore very highly decorated clothing too. The clothes consisted of purple silk and gold, a style that only kings could wear. Jewelry was common among royalty and many layers of clothing were worn by the king (Newman, Simon).
Nobles wore many layers of clothing as well. Their clothes were often very colorful with fur made of silk and velvet. Women in a noble's family would usually wear a headdress accompanied with a gown. This gown would have fur in it if the temperature was cold. Noblemen wore simple trousers covered by a long coat called a tunic. Both genders within this class wore jewelry ("The Middle Ages: Nobles"). The following link provides a visual of some types of accessories and noble dress: www.medievalcollectibles.com/c-146-clothing.aspx .
Knights had perhaps the most interesting selection of clothing. When protecting the castle, they wore a suit of armor made of small, interlocked chains called chain mail. Knights carried around accessories like shields, lances, maces, and flails. Shields were used for protection and were decorated with evidence of who the knight was. Lances were long weapons resembling spears. A mace was a stick with a spiked ball attached to the end. A flail was like a mace except for the fact that instead of the spiked ball attached directly to the stick, it was attached to a chain on the stick ("Feudal System").
Peasants wore clothing made of linen and wool that were old clothes owned by their nobles that no longer wanted the clothes. Men wore simple knee-length tunics and trousers along with jewelry. Women wore simple dresses with belts and jewelry. Both genders wore accessories like stockings, wooden boots, cloaks, mittens, belts, and straw hats.
Looking at medieval clothing, we can see how the status of medieval citizens differed, since clothing was a way to display power, status, and wealth.
Looking at medieval clothing, we can see how the status of medieval citizens differed, since clothing was a way to display power, status, and wealth.
Further Research:
The following links include galleries of medieval
clothing and how the clothing differed from one
class to another:
www.historyonthenet.com/medieval-life-clothing/
http://www.lordsandladies.org/medieval-kings-clothing.htm
www.medievalchronicles.com/medieval-clothing/medieval-peoples-clothing/peasants-clothing/
clothing and how the clothing differed from one
class to another:
www.historyonthenet.com/medieval-life-clothing/
http://www.lordsandladies.org/medieval-kings-clothing.htm
www.medievalchronicles.com/medieval-clothing/medieval-peoples-clothing/peasants-clothing/