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

Lots of details for dig sites and dating. But for those seeking ideas or patterns for crafting reenacting patterns or design ideas not so useful.

The book basically delivers what it says, a broad overview of complicated jumble that is dress accessories from 1150 to 1450 from excavations in London. Basically I bought this as a what-to-buy-for-which-period guide and I am pretty happy with it for that purpose. Only wish that they had covered the period from 1150 to 1550 but other than that I have few criticisms of this book. Recommended for re-enactors to get a sense of which belt buckles/strap-ends/brooches/fibulas etc. were in fashion at which time. Contains mostly archeological drawings of objects but also some photos. One thing to be aware of is that at first glance the drawings in this book are un-dated. The artefacts are labelled with a string of codes like: "839 BWB83 4021 (352) 11", where the last number is a ceramic phase number. The key to these phases can be found in a small table on Page 3. In this case the 11 indicates Ceramic Phase 11, c1350-1400. It's a bit annoying (why not just write the dates in the captions?) but scientists have a habit of making things complicated when they can be simple.

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.

Got this for research not fun. It is heavy on the archaeology and not necessarily the best as a general review of the times but an amazing archaeological analysis. Photos are hard to read though; they’re in black and white and it’s really difficult to see the details on some of the artefacts.

This book is a must have for your DIY medieval costuming! Great book for SCA or other historically accurate medieval reenactment.

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.

DUDE! YEAH every reanactor of this time period need this

A great resource for costumers and medieval enthusiasts.

If you after facts and figures this is the one.

This is a very useful book full of interesting pictures. I really recommend it to all who are interested in late medieval small finds

Brilliant book! Everything the person who recommended it said it is. The clue is in the title. One of those books to dip into and loose yourself for hours!

Does exactly what it says on the cover.This is a serious academic work, not necessarily everyone's idea of bedtime reading but it will tell you everything you could wish to know about dress acessories. A must for medievalists and re enactors.

attention en anglais mais très utile aux reconstituteurs très nombreuses illustrations