A Medieval queen’s clothing underwent changes from early to late medieval times. During the early medieval times, medieval queen’s clothing bore resemblance with ancient Greece and Roman clothing.
However, from 1066 onwards, new trends and styles were seen in a medieval queen’s clothing. Besides, during the late medieval times, common people were restricted from wearing clothes that resembled the clothes of the queen.
There was not any noteworthy change in a medieval queen’s clothing from 400AD till 1066AD. This, however, changed after 1066 AD as the feudal system became well established and class consciousness was observed.
It was also after this time that Europe came into contact with the East through trade and wars such as the crusades. After this time, medieval queen’s clothing made rich use of expensive materials such as silk and fur and clothes of many layers became popular.
Mary Of Burgundy Headdress Medieval Queens Clothing
Sumptuary Laws were introduced at different times during the middle and late medieval times and were designed to distinguish different classes from each other.
According to these laws, a medieval queen’s clothing could not be imitated by anyone else. Cloths of gold and purple silk, according to these laws, were reserved for royal family and could not be used by the common people.
The Daily clothing of medieval queen made rich use of velvet, silk, and fur. The undergarments for medieval queen’s clothing were made of breeches, hose, and chemise while linen and silk were also used.
Over the underskirt, a long gown was used that was covered with a luxurious tunic. Additionally, embroidered lace and gems were used to further decorate a medieval queen’s clothing.
Medieval Queens Clothing Fashion Tudor Gown
The clothing fashions of a medieval queen had the main influence on the general fashions of the medieval era.
Use of expensive materials such as velvet and silk were also adopted by the royal families and the fashion emerged from there.
Since common people were not allowed to imitate the clothing of the royal family, they did not have any influence on medieval fashion.
The official medieval queen’s clothing was highly ceremonial and included all the elements which distinguished the queen from the rest of the women in medieval society.
It consisted of a skirt or a long gown usually made of silk and also rich in velvet. It was usually covered by luxurious tunic and also contained embroidered lace and gems. After the Sumptuary Laws, only the queen could wear purple and golden colored dresses.
The casual medieval queen’s dress could be either layered or without layers. Sometimes it could have draped sleeves which went down to the floor, but mostly the sleeves were not that long.
Even the casual medieval queen’s clothing was designed to maintain the difference between her and the rest of the medieval women.
A Medieval queen’s clothing was relatively simple during the early medieval times but after the Norman Conquest of England and the rise of feudal culture, a medieval queen’s clothing was designed to reflect her social status.
Thus various Sumptuary Laws were introduced according to which only the royal family could use golden and purple clothing. New fashions in clothing were also inspired by the royal family.