14th century Mongolian Document
Design for an Award of Arms, in Mongolian style
Robyn Spencer
1560s Tudor Smock
A simple Tudor smock, with machine construction and embroidery
16th century English Woman’s Coif
A simple English late 16th century linen coif and forehead cloth, worn by women and girls across the classes. Many years ago, I made an elaborate blackwork coif. Since then I have made several of these coifs for other people…
10th century Byzantine Hat
A peaked hat in white and blue wool, suitable for middle class Byzantine man during the Romanesque era. This hat was made as part of the 2020 Lochac Largesse project – a skills swap, where we each made an item…
1340s English Crespinettes
Another version of this archetypical 14th century headdress, which was popular in England, France and adjacent areas. These crespinettes (also known as crespines or cauls) do not cover the ears, but perch on the temples as a cover for the…
10th century Norse Hat
A Norse man’s hat made of red wool, with tablet woven trim. The winner of my annual hat prize for Canterbury Faire 2019 asked for a soft Norse hat, c1000 in red and green. This is not an area I…
15th century Italian Document
This piece is based on a 15th century Italian manuscript from the Morgan Library. I wanted to create a personalised document (scroll) for my friend Diccon, to celebrate his achievements in the field of rapier combat – and his love…
Egg Tempera Scribe Boxes
A set of wooden boxes, painted in several medieval styles with egg tempera. This project solved two problems – I wanted to have a play with egg tempera, and I needed a several portable scribe kits for teaching medieval calligraphy…
1520s German Pink Wool Rock
An early 16th century German middle class gown with narrow sleeves, typical of the well-off Burgher wife. I was so pleased with my green wool Rock, I decided to make another in similar style, but with slim sleeves. Originally I…
1610s Spanish Man’s Hat
A replica of an extant Spanish hat from the turn of the 17th century, originally made in brown silk velvet and satin. My version has a stiffened felt base and is black, but is otherwise as close as I could…