History: Medieval babies and their clothes

In honour of our newest member, we thought we’d talk a little about medieval babies and how they were dressed.

Mother with swaddled baby. British Library, Royal 10 E IV, f. 27v

History: busting common myths about the medieval period – Part 2

A few weeks ago, we talked about some of the most common myths about the medieval period. We’re back again to shoot down some more myths!

Die history myths!

History: Busting common myths about the medieval period

With the show season in full swing, we thought we would revisit some common myths that turn up time and time again. We hope this little myth-buster will help you counter some of the myths and misconceptions that the public may have (plus stop you from inadvertently spreading any of your own).

Tutorial: How to mend clothes and other fabric

We’ve spoken before about how re-enactment kit is expensive but can have its lifespan considerably lengthened by correct maintenance. However, even with perfect care, clothes and other fabrics may eventually become torn. To be honest, this is part of the normal working life of a garment. This tutorial will teach you how do mend tears and wears when they happen.

Eeeek! A tear!

Tutorial: How to hand-wash clothes

As we mentioned in our previous post about caring for your medieval clothes, hand-washing is the best way to clean your woolens without having to worry about shrinking or damage. But, how do you do it?

Hose: they just about always need washing!

Guide: Kit maintenance – Fabric and clothing

Nobody can deny that re-enactment kit is expensive and most re-enactors invest a great deal of capital into it. With this in mind, it’s definitely helpful to keep your kit maintained so it lasts as long as possible. In this series of posts, we’ll show you how to maintain medieval re-enactment kit so it looks terrific for as long as possible.

A Garrison member by a display of period items of clothing in wool, linen and silk

Tutorial: How to pre-wash fabric

So, you’ve been shopping. You’ve got yourself some nice fabric which you’re planning to have turned into your brand new medieval clothing.

Purchases! Including two lengths of fabric for medieval clothes.

However, before you can cut your fabric out and sew it together you first need to pre-wash it. This tutorial will show you how.

Event report: Flax processing workshop

Last week, some members of the Garrison along with some members of the Company of Chivalry went to Flaxland in the Cotswolds for a day workshop about flax processing.

Watching a demonstration of flax spinning.

Recipe: Cockles and black pudding

This is a simple, high protein dish. Its tasty and a great opportunity to talk about the seasonality of shellfish and seafood.

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Tutorial: A 14th Century hair and veil style

A popular fourteenth-century veil style is to have a pair of plaits framing your face which are visible under your veil.

You can see this style under these high-class ladies’ almost sheer veils (Luttrell Psalter (c.1325-1335 – BL Add MS 42130)

Here the lady has placed a hood over her plaits (Romance of Alexander, 1338-44, fol 59r)

Follow our tutorial to recreate it.