Medieval Historian Ranks Women's Fashion From The Middle Ages | History Ranked

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11 Mar 202430:58
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this entertaining and informative video, Dr. Eleanor Yaniga ranks various medieval women's clothing items based on comfort, practicality, and style. From the elaborate 14th-century cirage to the versatile codpiece, each garment is assessed with a blend of historical knowledge and modern flair. The video humorously addresses the fashion needs of different social classes in the medieval period, highlighting the importance of style and function in historical attire.

Takeaways
  • πŸ‘— The video discusses the ranking of medieval women's clothing based on comfort, practicality, and style.
  • 🎩 The hennin, a cone-shaped headwear from the 15th-16th centuries, is praised for its comfort and style but questioned for practicality.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ The 14th-century cirage, a garment with a large arm cutout, is noted for its comfort, modesty, and the scandalous allure of showing the underdress.
  • πŸ‘• The houpland, a large shirt-dress from the 14th-15th centuries, is appreciated for its comfort, practicality in warmer months, and stylish versatility.
  • 🧣 The shames, a linen garment, and the false sleeves are highlighted for their practicality and ability to adapt to seasonal changes and personal style.
  • πŸ‘— The underdress and false sleeves are considered highly practical and stylish, allowing for personalization and adaptation to different temperatures.
  • πŸ₯Ώ The 15th-century shoes from the Laan zbΓ‘ painting are admired for their comfort and unique style, despite their impracticality for certain activities.
  • πŸ‘΅ The nun's attire, including the wimple, is noted for its lack of emphasis on style, prioritizing comfort and practicality for work and modesty.
  • 🎩 The buray, introduced by a Czech queen, is a stylish but impractical headwear that showcases wealth through its conspicuous consumption of cloth.
  • πŸ‘©β€πŸŒΎ Peasant head coverings are praised for their comfort, practicality, and modesty, though they lack in style compared to other garments.
  • πŸ‘— The German gown, with its distinctive center fold, is seen as a practical and visually interesting garment, though not as stylish as some others.
Q & A
  • Who is the host of 'Gone Medieval' and what is her area of expertise?

    -The host of 'Gone Medieval' is Dr. Eleanor Yaniga, and she is a medieval historian.

  • What are the three Estates in the medieval world?

    -The three Estates in the medieval world are those who fight, those who pray (such as nuns), and those who work, which made up about 80-90% of the population, primarily peasants.

  • How does fashion in the Middle Ages vary depending on social stratum?

    -Fashion in the Middle Ages was very stratified, with different needs and styles for each social class. For example, women at the top of society would look for different things in their clothing compared to women who worked in the fields all day.

  • What is the significance of the hennin in medieval fashion?

    -The hennin is a type of headwear that became popular in the later medieval period, around the 15th and 16th centuries. It was made of a lot of cloth held in place by wire to create a cone-shaped head, symbolizing status and wealth.

  • How does the 14th century cirage differ from other medieval garments in terms of comfort and practicality?

    -The 14th century cirage is known for its big cutout around the arms that allowed for more freedom of movement, making it comfortable for women who needed to work, like embroidering or weaving. However, its practicality varied depending on one's occupation; it was less practical for manual labor-intensive tasks.

  • What is the purpose of the hopon in medieval fashion?

    -The hopon is a large shirt or dress that was popular in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was lined with fur for warmth and often belted at the waist to define the silhouette. It was a status symbol, showing off the wearer's ability to afford such a large amount of cloth.

  • Why were shamices and smocks considered practical clothing for peasants?

    -Shamices and smocks were practical for peasants because they were made of breathable linen, which could be grown and produced by the peasants themselves. They were also versatile, suitable for both warm and cold seasons, and easy to maintain.

  • What is the function of false sleeves in medieval fashion?

    -False sleeves were a practical and stylish addition to medieval clothing. They allowed for easy customization of outfits without needing to create an entirely new garment. They could be attached or detached as needed to adapt to different seasons or occasions.

  • How did the style and function of a kardun (or codpiece) make it a popular garment in the medieval period?

    -The kardun was a versatile garment that could be dressed up or down, making it suitable for various social classes and occasions. It was comfortable, easy to make, and could be adjusted to fit the wearer's needs, making it a practical and popular choice.

  • What is the main purpose of a tabard in medieval clothing?

    -A tabard was primarily used to identify a person as a member of a particular household or noble family. It served as a form of livery, often displaying the coat of arms of the noble family they served, and provided a layer of protection or warmth.

  • Why did Dr. Eleanor Yaniga rank the hennin as an S-tier fashion item despite its impracticality?

    -Dr. Yaniga ranked the hennin as an S-tier fashion item because of its high style value. Despite its impracticality, the hennin was a status symbol and a sensation in medieval fashion, making it highly desirable for those who could afford it.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ‘‘ Introduction to Medieval Fashion

Dr Eleanor Yaniga introduces the topic of medieval women's clothing, discussing the subjective nature of fashion and its evolution over time. She outlines the criteria for ranking the clothing: comfort, practicality, and style, and sets the stage for a detailed exploration of various garments from the medieval period.

05:02
🎩 The Hennins: Style Over Comfort

The script delves into the hennin, a distinctive headdress from the later medieval period. Despite its impracticality and potential discomfort due to the weight of the fabric and structure, the hennin is celebrated for its style and the social status it conveys. The hennin's comfort level is rated as a seven, practicality as a four, and style as an S-tier, reflecting its high fashion status.

10:02
πŸ§₯ The 14th Century Cotehardie: Comfort Meets Style

The discussion shifts to the 14th century cotehardie, a garment that balances comfort and style. The cotehardie's practicality for working women is noted, as well as its adaptability for various social classes. The garment earns high marks for comfort, practicality, and style, placing it in the S-tier category.

15:04
πŸ‘— The Hoop: A Fashion Statement

The hoop, a large shirt-dress from the 14th and 15th centuries, is examined for its comfort, practicality, and style. While it may not be suitable for peasants, the hoop's luxurious fabric and design make it a stylish choice for those who can afford it. The garment receives a mid-tier rating for comfort and practicality but scores high on style.

20:06
πŸ‘š The Shift and False Sleeves: Versatility at Its Best

The shift and false sleeves are praised for their comfort, practicality, and style. These garments offer a versatile solution to medieval fashion, allowing for easy layering and outfit changes. The shift is particularly noted for its breathability and the false sleeves for their ability to personalize an outfit. Both are given high ratings across all categories.

25:06
πŸ₯Ώ The 15th Century Shoes: A Comfortable Classic

The script highlights a pair of 15th-century shoes, appreciated for their comfort and style. Despite their impracticality for certain activities, the shoes are celebrated for their aesthetic appeal and the comfort they provide. The shoes are given a high rating for comfort and style, but a lower rating for practicality due to their pointed toes and potential for accidents.

30:10
πŸ‘©β€πŸ¦² The Nun's Habit: A Symbol of Devotion

The script discusses the nun's habit, a garment chosen for its practicality and symbolic representation of religious devotion over style and comfort. The habit is noted for itsθˆ’ι€‚ζ€§ and practicality for the nun's various tasks, but its style is intentionally plain to signify humility and focus on spiritual matters. The habit receives a high rating for practicality and a low rating for style.

🎩 The Buray: A Fashion Statement of Wealth

The buray, introduced by a Czech queen, is a headdress that made a splash in London for its conspicuous consumption of cloth. While not comfortable or practical for daily wear, the buray's style is highly rated for its ability to showcase wealth and fashion sense. The garment receives a mid-tier rating for comfort, a low rating for practicality, and a high rating for style.

πŸ‘’ Peasant Head Coverings: Functional and Modest

The script discusses the practical and modest head coverings of medieval peasants, emphasizing their functionality in protecting the hair and providing warmth. These coverings are highly rated for comfort and practicality but receive a mid-tier rating for style, reflecting their simplicity and lack of extravagance.

πŸ‘— The German National Dress: A Display of Fabric

The German national dress, characterized by its conspicuous use of fabric and dramatic braids, is examined for its comfort, practicality, and style. While not the most comfortable or practical due to the bulk of fabric, the dress is appreciated for its ability to showcase one's clothing in layers of color. The garment receives a mid-tier rating for comfort and practicality, with a slightly higher rating for style.

πŸ§₯ The Kote: Versatile and Accessible

The kote, a versatile garment similar to a modern t-shirt dress, is praised for its comfort and adaptability. It can be dressed up or down, making it suitable for various occasions and social statuses. The kote receives high marks for comfort and practicality, and a mid-tier rating for style due to its versatility and the potential for personalization.

🧣 The Tabard: A Symbol of Service

The tabard, a simple garment worn to signify service and affiliation with a noble household, is discussed for its comfort and practicality. While not particularly stylish, the tabard serves a functional purpose in identifying one's allegiance and providing an extra layer of protection. The garment receives the highest rating for comfort, a high rating for practicality, and a low rating for style.

πŸŽ‰ Conclusion and Call to Action

Dr Eleanor Yaniga concludes the exploration of medieval women's clothing, inviting viewers to share their favorite pieces in the comments. She emphasizes the subjective nature of fashion and her expertise in the field, encouraging further discussion and potential future videos on the topic.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Medieval Fashion
Medieval fashion refers to the clothing, style, and attire worn during the Middle Ages. In the video, the host discusses various elements of medieval women's clothing, including comfort, practicality, and style, providing insights into how these aspects varied across different social classes and periods within the medieval era.
πŸ’‘Social Stratification
Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups in society based on their status, wealth, or occupation. In the context of the video, it is used to explain how medieval fashion was influenced by one's social standing, with different classes having distinct clothing styles and needs.
πŸ’‘Hennin
The hennin is a type of headwear worn by women during the late medieval period, particularly in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was characterized by its tall, conical shape, often maintained by wire and fabric. The hennin is used in the video as an example of a fashionable but impractical piece of medieval attire.
πŸ’‘Cirage
Cirage, or cirac, is a term used to describe a type of medieval garment with a distinctive cutout around the arms, revealing the underdress. This garment was popular in the 14th century and is highlighted in the video for its combination of style and practicality, especially for women of higher social status who engaged in activities requiring ease of movement.
πŸ’‘Houpland
A houpland is a type of medieval dress that emerged in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is characterized by its large, billowing sleeves known as 'houps' and is often associated with wealth and status due to the amount of fabric used. The houpland is discussed in the video as an example of a garment that, while stylish, may not have been practical for all social classes.
πŸ’‘Shamese
A shamese, also known as a smock or a chemise, is a type of undergarment or dress worn by medieval women, typically made of linen. It was practical for work and provided a base layer for other garments. The shamese is mentioned in the video as a comfortable and practical piece of clothing, suitable for peasants and accessible for dyeing in various colors.
πŸ’‘Underdresses and False Sleeves
Underdresses and false sleeves are elements of medieval women's clothing that provided both warmth and style. Underdresses were worn as layers, often made of wool or linen depending on the season, while false sleeves were detachable sleeves that could be added to a garment for versatility and personalization. These items are discussed in the video as practical and stylish, allowing for adaptation to different temperatures and fashion trends.
πŸ’‘Peasant Head Coverings
Peasant head coverings were simple and functional items of clothing worn by medieval women, particularly those of lower social status, to protect their hair and maintain modesty. These coverings were practical for work in the fields and provided protection from the elements.
πŸ’‘National Dress
A national dress refers to the traditional attire associated with a specific country or culture. In the video, the national dress mentioned is a German gown from the 14th or 15th century, characterized by its distinctive braids and fabric arrangement.
πŸ’‘Cotehardie
A cotehardie, or simply a 'cote,' is a type of medieval garment for both men and women, similar to a tunic or a long shirt. It was versatile and could be dressed up or down with accessories and underdresses. The cotehardie is highlighted in the video for its comfort and adaptability across different social classes.
πŸ’‘Tabard
A tabard is a sleeveless garment worn over the shoulders, often used to display a coat of arms or other insignia. It was a practical item that identified the wearer as a member of a particular household or guild. In the video, the tabard is discussed as a practical and comfortable garment, but its style is deemed less impressive.
Highlights

Dr. Eleanor Yaniga is a medieval historian and the host of 'Gone Medieval'.

The show 'Gone Medieval' ranks medieval women's clothing based on comfort, practicality, and style.

Medieval fashion varied across different social strata, including those who fought, prayed, and worked.

The hennin, a cone-shaped headwear from the 15th and 16th centuries, was both fashionable and functional for warmth.

The 14th-century cirage, a garment with a large arm cutout, was both comfortable and stylish, but less practical for manual labor.

The hopon, a large shirt-dress from the 14th and 15th centuries, was comfortable and could be worn in various seasons.

The shames, a type of underdress, was practical and breathable, suitable for peasants.

Underdresses and false sleeves allowed for personalization and adaptability to different temperatures.

The 15th-century shoes from the Laan zbΓ‘ painting were admired for their style and comfort.

Nuns' attire was intentionally plain and sometimes uncomfortable to signify their devotion and detachment from worldly concerns.

The buray, introduced by a Czech queen, was a sensation in England and symbolized wealth with its conspicuous consumption of cloth.

Peasant head coverings were practical, comfortable, and modest, but not particularly stylish.

The German national dress, with its distinctive fabric roll, was not the most practical but allowed for layering and color display.

The kard, a versatile garment similar to a t-shirt dress, was accessible and could be dressed up or down.

Tabards were practical for marking one's household affiliation and could offer a layer of protection and status.

The style ranking of clothing items was subjective, with the 14th-century circuit and hennin receiving high style scores.

The host's passion for medieval fashion is evident, as she enjoys discussing and ranking the clothing items.

Transcripts
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