![]() But it’s the 14th Century laws of King Edward III which established the legal framework for restricting clothing based on social status in Medieval England. Sumptuary Laws have existed in antiquity, with examples found in Greek and Roman culture that involved a prohibition on certain activities as well as clothing. A medieval peasant tunic in this style was seen as a modest form of dress for a good Christian man. During the reign of King Edward, England saw the introduction of many Sumptuary Laws – a series of mandates on what kinds of clothes people could wear based on their social status. But when the lines began to blur towards the High and Late Medieval Period, laws were created to contain the situation. The rise of the mercantile middle class later in the period made access to expensive, imported fabrics and styles accessible to people outside the nobility, at least in theory. ![]() If you were a Lord or Lady in a castle, you’d be expected to wear clothing, jewellery, and accessories that reflected your social position. There was a socially-enforced expectation that if you were a serf – you’d dress like a serf. The assumption that divine order had placed you in your position in life meant there wasn’t much room for social mobility (until the rise of the bourgeois class closer to the Renaissance). The church dominated many parts of life for Medieval Europeans. The ¾ length sleeves, for example, are probably a safety feature, preventing material from snagging and causing the wearer injury from farm machinery, mills, forges and a variety of other hazards. Common sense suggests that this type of tunic was also designed with the workplace in mind. Several historical fencing manuals show students fighting with practise swords dressed in their shirtsleeves. So a single tunic needed to be suitable for a variety of activities. Between harvesting, spinning, processing, and weaving – creating a medieval peasant tunic took a lot of raw materials and labour. Like we mentioned, clothing in the middle ages was a much more valuable commodity than it is now. The overall cut of this type of medieval tunic didn’t change a great deal until the Renaissance, and even then, many commoners continued to wear these simple, utilitarian clothes. At different periods throughout history, differing quantities of cloth pulled up and hanging over the beltline were considered fashionable. This baselayer might be worn under a guard captain’s uniform, a fisherman’s oiled leathers, or a blacksmith’s apron. The loose cut, open cuffs and baggy sleeves of these medieval tunics help achieve this, and the lower hem-line helps the wearer retain body heat – especially when worn with a belt on the outside to prevent air from blowing in. With a single type of undergarment for every activity and year-round use – the medieval peasant tunic had to allow unrestricted movement and keep its wearer warm. Sparring cadets might strip down to these tunics as they work the practice sword, farm labourers would do the same when hard at work, and after a day’s work or training, sitting by the fire in shirtsleeves would be enjoyed by both. It makes a suitable beginning of a costume for an innkeeper, adventurer, wizard’s apprentice, or warrior. Nonetheless, this example of what is essentially medieval underwear could be worn by a huge number of people, engaged in all kinds of labour. The cut of a medieval tunic often didn’t vary a great deal from person to person but wealthier people would use more expensive fabrics, dyes, and adornment to indicate their status. The neck, cuffs and hem are trimmed in brown and the sleeves fall below the elbow but just above the wrist for most people.Ĭlothing was a much more valuable commodity in the past and was made to be as durable and practical as possible. The historically inaccurate, baggy sackcloth style that is sometimes portrayed in Hollywood movies has been abandoned in favour of a streamlined but loose-fitting tunic that looks great on its own or cinched in at the waist with a belt. This V-necked, ¾ -length medieval peasant tunic is cut in a similar way to many Late Medieval to Early Renaissance garments. But with its streamlined cut, this medieval peasant tunic allows wearers to layer up their clothing to create unique-looking character ideas for LARP, medieval reenactments, and Renaissance Faires. On its own, this could be the shirt off just about any NPC in any fantasy RPG or video game we’ve ever played. This carefully reproduced medieval peasant tunic has a classic, archetypal appearance, making it an aesthetic fit for a wide range of historical and fantastical settings. A Tavern Classic – The Medieval Peasant Tunic
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