Dress Accessories, c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) [Hardcover]

Geoff Egan (Author), Frances Pritchard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0851158390 | ISBN-13: 978-0851158396

Brooches, rings, buckles, pendants, buttons, purses and other accessories were part of everyday dress in the middle ages. Over two thousand such items dating from the period 1150-1450 are described and discussed here, all found in recent archaeological excavations in London - then as now one of western Europe's most cosmopolitan cities, its social and economic activity compounded by the waterside bustle of the Thames. These finds constitute the most extensive and varied group of such accessories yet recovered in Britain, and their close dating and the scientific analysis carried out on them have been highly revealing. Important results published here for the first time show, for example, the popularity of shoddy, mass-produced items in base metals during the high middle ages and enable researchers to identify the varied products of rival traditions of manufacture mentioned in historical sources. Anyone needing accurate information on period costume will welcome this book, which will appeal to the general reader interested in costume and design, as well as to archaeologists and historians. THE AUTHORS are members of staff of the Museum of London.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Extremely useful to medieval re-enactors. TOOL AND TRADES HISTORY SOCIETY NEWSLETTER (Along with Shoes and Pattens) these two volumes brook few rivals and represent the best scholarship focused on shoes and everyday dress accessories from the Middle Ages. Indispensable....Groundbreaking. SPECULUM

About the Author

THE AUTHORS are members of staff of the Museum of London. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 426 pages
• Publisher: Boydell Press (May 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851158390
• ISBN-13: 978-0851158396
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,776,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Invaluable Research Tool, January 12, 2003

By 

"epontis" (Vallejo, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dress Accessories, c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) (Hardcover)

This book, part of a collective of what has become to be known as "the London Excavations" is invaluable for academic or hobbyist alike. Complete in its recording and detailing of dress accessories such as brooches, buttons, buckles, bells, purses,hair accessories, etcetera it provides a complete breakdown of information with excellant quality illustrations. Provides extensive commentary on materials and methods, uses, and contextural information. This is not just a compilation of data, its an extensive body of work on dress accessories of the period and their use.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Find!, September 15, 2005

By 

Aubrey St. James - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dress Accessories, c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) (Hardcover)

An excellent piece of work for those interested in fashion history or the items of everyday life in Medieval London. The extensive bibliography has been of great help to me in my own research.

I was highly entertained when I came across the section dedicated to the "compact mirror"! I must also point out that the section on pins was very informative. I was a little disappointed that the 3 sections on belt buckles and bits takes up almost half the book.

However, one cannot blame the authors for what the people of London threw away over 500 years ago. What has survived has been revealed in the best possible light with this book. A must have for the avid and sometimes historian. Bravo!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for researchers and writers of historical fiction, August 6, 2005

By 

Deborah MacGillivray "Author," (US & UK) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dress Accessories, c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) (Hardcover)

The Museum of London is putting out invaluable book for writers and researched. This is never going to be a bestseller, or even something the casual reader will be interested in. It's very details, extensively photographed artifacts of dress accessories for the Medieval Period, running 1150-1450.

They go into the field work and the finds, how the items are date. They cover girdles (not the kind Marlyn Monroe tells Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon to take off and spread out!) but the style women wore around the waist of their gowns. They ranged from fabric ones to metal. They cover buckles, how they were made, very detailed pictures, then diagrams of how they were constructed. Brooches, buttons, belts, pins, hair accessories, chains, pendants, fingers rights, bells, purses, mirrors, combs, cosmetic sets, needlecases and more. Often they included patterns.

They discuss the metallurgical of these items, how they were made. It will bore most people bloody stiff. To the historical writer of the period, they will be in heaven.

Highly recommended for the Historical Romance writer who wants to get it right. It's perfection for someone wanting the tiny details.