13th Century Europe: Clothing

Things are starting to look a little more familiar getting into the 13th century.

Cool tunics, guys.

Guess what we're still wearing? That's right, you guessed it: TUNICS. Men wore tunics all the damn time with hose. Tunics were belted at the waist and features slits in the sides for comfort while riding horses (lucky them...). Men also often wore surcoats, loose and long and shapeless, over their tunics. Coifs were little linen skull caps and were worn under other hats.

Does this gown make me look matronly?

Everyone was also wearing gowns and smocks. Throw on your surcoat and your turned shoes and get outta the house!

We know what you're hiding under there, Fuld of Anjou! We are not FULD by your pointy shoes.

Pointed shoes called Poulaine or Crakow were all the rage thanks to Count Fuld of Anjou who had a freaky toe deformity.

13th Century Europe: Architecture

That's a big window!

Vaults and buttresses and windows gallore! Welcome to Gothic architecture, my pretties! (Get it... I'm a witch.)
By the 13th century, nearly EVERYONE in Europe was on the Gothic kick. Windows are big and long with pointed tops. These windows got so big that they needed extra stone support called tracery! These supports were all different shapes and also added cool decoration to the buildings (like they needed it).

Got spires? I think they needed just a few more...

The height of these windows was especially fitting for the height of the beautiful Gothic buildings- the higher the building, the closer to heaven! That should have been their motto...
Spires and towers added even more height to these magnificent structures.

14th Century: Architecture

Cotehardie with lappets and fitchets

Never a damsel in distress, thank you very much!

Welcome, welcome miladies! I've reached the 14th century and I must say, this witch is totally exhausted. My finger hurts from all these spells.

Cathedral of Milan. Look at all those!

More on the Gothic style:

The flying buttress gave added support to the massive, heavy walls of Gothic structures. Kinda like a kickstand! I wish my broom had a kickstand...

Does this make my buttress look big?

The flying buttresses added darting movement and even MORE opportunities for grand decoration.











LET THERE BE LIGHT!

That's a lot of glass... Maybe I shouldn't sing in here.

Aunt Hilda and Aunt Zelda are going to love this

 We needed something to fill all those huge-normous windows so stained glass is EVERYWHERE!! Not only did they fill these massive churches with colorful light, but the stained glass creations were a very important art addition.