Bliauts and Side Lacing

[sbuchler]

I finally got my hands on a copy of Medieval Art Recent Perspectives. A Memorial Tribute to C.R. Dodwell. ed by Gale R. Owen-Crocker and Timothy Graham -- which contains the article "'Estroit vestu et menu costu': Evidence for the Construction of Twelfth-Century Dress" by Jennifer Harris. She puts together the best argument I've ever seen for side-

Comments

[tudorpot]

Neat. I've just read part on google books. Interesting note about gown made of brocade.

[sbuchler]

Yeah, and "stitched up tightly with gold thread". I'm not sure what to make of that... true gold thread is not sturdy enough (in my experience) to use as lacing cord - at least to have the gold wrapping stay attached for any length of time... I'm wondering if it should be better interpreted as densely embroidered with gold rather then constructed with gold thread... in case the medieval French helps the footnote gives the original language (from The Romance of Tristan by Beroul, lines 1146-8): 'En un bliaut de paile bis / Estoit la dame estroit vestue / Et d'un fil d'or menu cosue.'

[sbuchler]

Yes, it's always seemed like a plausible argument to me... but Harris puts together about as solid a documented argument as we're likely to get without an extant garment! (IMHO, of course ;-) ) Very exciting! ;-)