Heraldic Tabards
Heraldic tabard in medieval style
Robyn Spencer
1560s Elizabethan Leather Jerkin
A man’s 16th century jerkin, in slashed and pinked leather, based on an extant example in the Museum of London. Jerkins were a common upper garments of the Elizabethan man from the upper or middle classes, and were also adopted…
1510s German Pearled Rock
This Rock (gown) was a major work, with 5,000 pearls and countless meters of couched gold cord. I had wanted to make a new high court gown for my early 16th century German wardrobe, but I wanted something different to…
Elizabethan Glove Favour
A single glove with embroidered cuff, made in the style of the late Elizabethan gloves. I made this for my husband Nico as a token of my love. According to Digby (1963), gloves were not just an item of clothing,…
1510s German Blue Linen Rock
An early 16th century middle class gown, based on a portrait by Holbein the Elder. Although many people make their early 16th century German gowns with elaborate sleeves (or no sleeves at all), these simple long sleeves were very common…
1520s ‘Holbein’ Steuchlein
An early 16th century embroidered Steuchlein (headdress), inspired by the Portrait of a 34 year old Woman by Hans Holbein the Elder. This embroidered Steuchlein was my first foray into making German middle class linen headwear with the right profile.…
1520s German Red Linen Rock
An early 16th century middle class gown in red linen with a tied neckline, inspired by two woodcuts. I was very pleased with my pink and green gowns, but needed another summer-weight Rock. My previous gowns had slashed sleeves made…
14th century Mamlûk Sash
This sash or girdle is based on a number of extant examples from the Mamlûk period in Egypt (1250-1517). These sashes were worn by both men and women, wrapped around the waist over the coat. I made this one as…
16th century German Chests
A pair of storage chests, based on two extant 16th century Austrian examples. Once we had built our 16th century tent, we needed suitable storage to go inside it. These chests store our medieval clothes both when camping and at…
16th century German Tent
A rectangular tent with internal frame, based on several 16th century German images. The first pavilion I made was a small round one, which worked well for one person and served me for many years, but now there were two…