February with the Duc De Berry teaches us about Medieval Clothing

We don't know many folks whose love this time of year - cold, dreary and mostly anticipating spring! But we find a comforting flow in the progress of the seasons and enjoy thinking about how medieval folks dealt with the joys and challenges throughout the year.

Today we highlight February in our collection of articles describing the work of Jean Duc De Berry's Book of Hours - one of the most magnificent illuminated manuscripts and so very useful in its detailed illustrations of clothing of the period. This month we are greeted with a cozy scene of farming and a snug cottage with sheep warming themselves together and the cottage residents hiking up their clothing to warm themselves by the fire.

This month's image illustrates many typical medieval garments and perhaps, the best of all, what is shown are those of the 'everyman'- well to-do peasants - which is so useful for those of us researching living history and re-enacting. In foreground, the presumed mistress of the house is depicted in detail in her blue Linen, or, more likely, Wool Backlaced Gown, and has ruched up her skirts so we can see her Underdress or Kirtle, Stockings and simple Turnshoes. Our favorite detail of her costume is her black Flemish Hood - a particularly striking and flattering women's style of the period. (See more detail in our photos below).

The men in foreground and working on background are shown wearing various version of Linen or Wool Tunics or Wool Cottes, worn over Shirts and Belted, different styles of Wool Hoods and Sock or Bag Hats, and the image includes great detail in depicting their Braies, Chauses or Joined Hose and Low Boots. A figure making their way back to the cottage seems to be huddled under his simple medieval Cloak for warmth. having draw it up over his head leaving us to wonder - did he forget his hood that day?

Jean Duc De Berry's Book Of Hours - Februrary

February is often the harshest month of the year, and the Limbourges capture all the chill of a snowy, wintry day, from the pale, faded sky to the snow covered hills.
In the foreground is filled with the depiction of farm, not of the villeins, but of well-to-do peasants: the dovecote, sheepfold, carts and wagons, a wattled enclosure or pantry and the farm house itself. Within the house two peasants have stripped off their braies and warm their naked legs and loins by the fire, wearing little more than simple boots, stockings and tunics. By contrast, the presumed mistress of the house warms her ankles, while remaining modestly dressed in both under dress and a simple, blue back-laced gown, the ubiquitous woman’s garment of the period. As the peasants warm themselves, their linens hang from rods, no doubt to dry from the trudging through the snow.