The medieval ages is the period in European history which, along with its adjective ‘medieval’, was first referred to by Italian scholars and the academics of the late fifteenth century. They were basically stating that the society in which they lived was significantly more civilised and advanced in many ways, than that which has existed in previous thousand years. This may have been true in certain elite sections of the Italian society which had begun to emulate the art and philosophy of ancient Greece, but generally in Italy and Europe overall no all-pervading change had occurred.
Although, it often thought that the term the "Dark Ages" refers to unusual levels of violence, cruelty, or disease in the era, this is not the case. The Roman Empire had almost constant warfare on its border throughout its existence, and had fairly high level violence within the Empire. One has to only read an account of a crucifixion to understand the level of cruelty in the Empire. The Renaissance, although it produced a great deal of great literature and art, was also a violent, war-torn society. Epidemic disease was of course rampant in all human societies until the advent of modern medicine.
Peasant men wore stockings or tunics, while women wore long gowns with sleeveless tunics and wimples to cover their hair. Sheepskin cloaks and woollen hats and mittens were worn in winter for protection from the cold and rain. Leather boots were covered with wooden patens to keep the feet dry. The outer clothes were almost never laundered, but the linen underwear was regularly washed. The smell of wood smoke that permeated the clothing seemed to act as a deodorant. Peasant women spun wool into the threads that were woven into the cloth for these garments.
Although, it often thought that the term the "Dark Ages" refers to unusual levels of violence, cruelty, or disease in the era, this is not the case. The Roman Empire had almost constant warfare on its border throughout its existence, and had fairly high level violence within the Empire. One has to only read an account of a crucifixion to understand the level of cruelty in the Empire. The Renaissance, although it produced a great deal of great literature and art, was also a violent, war-torn society. Epidemic disease was of course rampant in all human societies until the advent of modern medicine.
Peasant men wore stockings or tunics, while women wore long gowns with sleeveless tunics and wimples to cover their hair. Sheepskin cloaks and woollen hats and mittens were worn in winter for protection from the cold and rain. Leather boots were covered with wooden patens to keep the feet dry. The outer clothes were almost never laundered, but the linen underwear was regularly washed. The smell of wood smoke that permeated the clothing seemed to act as a deodorant. Peasant women spun wool into the threads that were woven into the cloth for these garments.
The term Dark Ages was originally used to describe the the perceived lack of learning during the Middle Ages. The exact period covered by the term has always been somewhat fluid. At times it has been applied to whole of the Middle Ages.The term now is reserved, when it is used at all, for the period of social collapse after the fall of Roman Empire, when there was little in the way of historical or literary production. One implication of this that there are very few sources for this era, hence it is difficult for historians to reconstruct what happened in the era. In this sense term is limited only to the early Middle Ages.
Daily life during the Middle Ages is sometimes hard to fathom. Pop culture loves to focus on exciting medieval moments-heroic knights charging into battle; romantic liaisons between royalty and commoner; breakthroughs and discoveries made. But life for your average person during the Dark Ages was very routine, and activities revolved around an agrarian calendar.
Most of the time was spent working the land, and trying to grow enough food to survive another year. Church feasts marked sowing and reaping days, and occasions when peasant and lord
Most people in the Middle Ages wore woollen clothing, with undergarments made of linen. Brighter colours, better materials, and a longer jacket length were usually signs of greater wealth. The clothing of the aristocracy and wealthy merchants tended to be elaborate and changed according to the dictates of fashion. Towards the end of the Middle Ages, men of the wealthy classes sported hose and a jacket, often with pleating or skirting, or a tunic with a furcoat. Women wore flowing gowns and elaborate head wear, ranging from headdresses shaped like hearts or butterflies to tall steeple caps and Italian turbans.
Most of the holy orders wore long woollen habits in emulation of Roman clothing. One could tell the order by the colour of the habit: the Benedictines wore black; the Cistercians, undyed wool or white. St. Benedict stated that a monk's clothes should be plain but comfortable and they were allowed to wear linen coifs to keep their heads warm. The Poor Clare Sisters, an order of Franciscan nuns, had to petition the Pope in order to be permitted to wear woollen socks.
Fur was often used to line the garments of the wealthy. Jewelry was lavish, much of it imported and often used as security against loans. Gem cutting was not invented until the fifteenth century, so most stones were not very lustrous. Ring brooches were the most popular item from the twelfth century on. Chaucer's prioress in the Canterbury Tales wore a brooch with the inscription "Amor vincit omnia" ("Love conquers all"), not a particularly appropriate slogan for a nun. Diamonds became popular in Europe in the fourteenth century. By the mid-fourteenth century there were laws to control who wore what jewelry , and knights were not permitted to wear rings. Sometimes clothes were garnished with silver, but only the wealthy could wear such item, the very difference between was the ease of the garments.
The renaissance was the period between considered the bridge between the middle age and modern age there was a very slight difference between the clothing in medival and renaissance age, the clothing tended to mold the figure into the current trend of shapes clothing used much padding and tightening, especially in the shoulders and hips where in the medieval garb was typically very loose and flowing, there was a very thin line of distinction between the ages and there clothing.
The renaissance was the period between considered the bridge between the middle age and modern age there was a very slight difference between the clothing in medival and renaissance age, the clothing tended to mold the figure into the current trend of shapes clothing used much padding and tightening, especially in the shoulders and hips where in the medieval garb was typically very loose and flowing, there was a very thin line of distinction between the ages and there clothing.
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