Shoes and Pattens: Finds from Medieval Excavations in London (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) [Hardcover]

Francis Grew (Author), Margrethe de Neergaard (Author), Susan Mitford (illustrations) (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 2004 | Series: Medieval Finds from Excavations in London (Book 2)

Until recently, very little was known about medieval shoes. Glimpses in manuscript illustrations and on funerary monuments, with the occasional reference by a contemporary writer, was all that the costume historian had as evidence, not least because leather tends to perish after prolonged contact with air, and very few actual examples survived. In recent years, however, nearly 2,000 shoes, many complete and in near-perfect condition, have been discovered preserved on the north bank of the Thames, and are now housed in the Museum of London. This collection, all from well-dated archaeological contexts, fills this vast gap in knowledge, making it possible to chart precisely the progress of shoe fashion between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Indispensable to shoe researches for the reliability of its dating evidence. --Finds Research Group

(Along with Dress Accessories) 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

Product Details

• Hardcover: 152 pages
• Publisher: Boydell Press (March 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851158382
• ISBN-13: 978-0851158389
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,466,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An in-depth archaeological study of medieval footwear, January 13, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shoes and Pattens: Finds from Medieval Excavations in London (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) (Hardcover)

Shoes And Patterns is an in-depth archaeological study of medieval footwear, made possible by preserved footwear of the 12th through 15th century discovered along the north bank of the river Thames and permanently housed in the collection of the Museum of London. The detailed and informative text is enhanced throughout this impressive work of archaeological and historical scholarship with numerous black-and-white photographs and drawings which make the shoes of centuries ago as real and practical as if they were worn today. An essential addition to academic Medieval History studies reference collections, Shoes And Patterns is particularly recommended reading for theatrical costumers, replica-makers, historical reenactors and anyone with a festive curiosity about this down-to-earth topic of medieval footwear.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shoes and Pattens and Stepping Through Time, September 27, 2002

By 

Wanda L. Pease "schwarzdrachen" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shoes and Pattens: Finds from Medieval Excavations in London (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) (Hardcover)

Shoes and Pattens is one of THE two great books using actual finds to show footwear in the English Middle Ages. A must have for anyone who is interesed in recreating period footwear or simply knowing about leather uses.
The second book is Stepping Through Time (David Brown Books) which follows footwear found in Holland dating from pre-history to 1800.