Figure 1.-- Here we see a page from the late medieval era, about 1485. There is some engraved lettering at the bottom of the image, but it is undreadable. This is not a contemporary drawing. I think this illustration is a plate from a book illustrating historical French costume, but I have no idea which book or when it was drawn. There was great interest in historical costume among French early 19th century illustrators and artists. This is a good example of their style of presentation. Click on the image for a fuller discussion.

Our information on page clothing is limited at this time. Certain basic trends about medieval fashion have to be understood before discussing page costumes. When discussing page clothing it is important to remember that the medieval era lasted roughly 1,000 years. Fashion during the medieval era changed , but at a much much slower than fashion changes today. Also fashion was concept for the upper and small middle classes. The peasantry had little time or income for fashion. Also fashion for the aristocracy was a class more than a ntional concept. This meant that the arisorcracy throughout much of Europe were affected by the same fashion trends. There were variations from country to country, but they ere less important than the basic trends accepted by the aristocracy throughout Europe. As European art was primitive during the early mediebal era, much of our information on page costimes come from the late medieval era.

Medieval Clothing

Our information on page clothing is limited at this time. Certain basic trends about medieval fashion have to be understood before discussing page costumes. When discussing page clothing it is important to remember that the medieval era lasted roughly 1,000 years. Fashion during the medieval era changed , but at a much much slower than fashion changes today. Also fashion was concept for the upper and small middle classes. The peasantry had little time or income for fashion. Also fashion for the aristocracy was a class more than a ntional concept. This meant that the arisorcracy throughout much of Europe were affected by the same fashion trends. There were variations from country to country, but they ere less important than the basic trends accepted by the aristocracy throughout Europe. Pages as youthful members of the aristocracy were affected by these trends.

Livery

The feudal lord the page served was responsible for providing a kind of uniform in his colors and livery. .

Art

One of our principal sources of information about medieval fashion are the depictions in medieval art. Here there are, however, limitations. The medieval era streaches over a period of about 1,000 years. About half of the era since the birth of Christ has been the medieval era. As European art was primitive during the early mediebal era, much of our information on page costumes come from the late medieval era.

Chronological Eras

Fashion changed slowly during the medieval era, especially the erly and mid-medieval eras. The speed of change quickened during the late medieval era, but was still slow by modern standards. Medieval eras are a bit difficult to fix with clarity because it depends a lot on what part of Europe one is talking about. Italy was of course the most advanced country followed by Spain, France, and England. Germany and the more eastern parts of Europe were slower to modernize. Generally speaking, however, historians (using England as a guide) divide the Middle Ages into three segments. Early Medieval is roughly from the fall of the Roman Empire until 1066 (William the Conqueror's rule over England). Late Medieval tends to be regarded as the 15th century (1400 to 1500--in England, at least). The period between 1066 and 1400 is usually thought of as the High Middle Ages, the period when the great gothic cathedrals were built.

Early-medieval era (475-1066)

High medieval era (1066-1400)

Late-medieval era (1400-1500)

HBC doesn't have many images of teen-age dress from the late medieval period. Some available images illustrate the various garments worn by pages during the medieval era. The styles of courtly male dress during this period were strongly influenced by Italy, the country that led Europe in the extravagance of male clothing. Northern Italy is where the Renaissance began. The spread of ideas and social attitudes spread north just as did Italian fashions. The two most important items of clothing were doublets and hosiery. We also note destinctive headwear and footwear. There were no dedicated styles per se for children in the late-medieval era. Younger boys wore dresses like their sisters. Once brreched, however, boys abd youths wore the same style clothing as men. Youthful style concsious youths and young men might wear shorter doublets than oldermen. Men in their middle-age might wear long cloakes.

Created: 10:41 PM 3/4/2005
Last updated: 5:46 AM 11/7/2010